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THE STORY 

OF THE FIRST GAS 

REGIMENT 

BY 

JAMES THAYER ADDISON 

REGIMENTAL CHAPLAIN 
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 




BOSTON AND NEW YORK 

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 

(Xtt Ulitec^iDe pcej^jtf CambtiDoe 

1919 



■^ 






COPYRIGHT, I9I9, BY JAMBS THAYER ADDISON 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



3.^ <^ 



AUG 2! 1919 



©CI.A53 58 9 



TO 

THE HONORED MEMORY 

OF OUR COMRADES 

WHO DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE 

IN A NEW WORLD 



CONTENTS 

I. Beginnings i 

II. The Organization of the First and 

Second Battalions 9 

III. The Overseas Training of the First and 

Second Battalions 21 

IV. The First Actions 40 
V. The First Battalion in the Chateau- 
Thierry Offensive 55 

VI. The Stabilized Fronts in July and 

August 79 

VII. The St. Mihiel Operation 115 

VIII. The Argonne-Meuse Operation 133 

IX. Last Days 186 

X. The Third and Fourth Battalions 200 

XI. Conclusion 205 

Appendices ; 209 

A. Casualty List 

B. Table of Dates 

C. Sample "Operation Order" 
Sample "Operation Report" 

D. Description of Weapons 

E. Awards, Citations, and Recommenda- 

tions 

F. List of Officers and Men 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

A Smoke Cloud in Action Frontispiece 

Colonel Earl J. Atkisson, Commanding 

Officer 2 

The Colors 12 

La Ville-aux-Bois 28 

Four-Inch Stokes Trench Mortar 28 

Livens Projectors 42 

Lieutenant Fleming 42 

Projector Discharge at Night 42* 

Explosion of Smoke Bomb 62 

Lieutenant Joseph T. Hanlon 66 

Chateau-Thierry 74 

Sunken Road near St. Thibaut 74 

Officers of Company C, July, 1918 96 

Company A 142 

Company B 146 

Trenches near "Le MoRT Homme" 152 

Nantillois 152 

Company C 156 

Church at Gercourt 164 

Ferme de la Madeleine 164 

Company D 170 

Company E 174 

Company F 178 

Medical Detachment 182 



X ILLUSTRATIONS 

First Battalion Headquarters Detachment, 

February, 19 19 186 
Second Battalion Headquarters Detach- 
ment, February, 1919 190 
Regimental Headquarters Detachment, 

February, 19 19 194 
The Regimental Band 198 
Officers of Third and Fourth Battalions 202 
Officers of the First Gas Regiment, Febru- 
ary, 1919 206 
Supply and Headquarters Company, Third 

and Fourth Battalions 300 

Company G 304 

Company H 308 

Company I 312 

Company K 316 

Company L 320 

Company M 324 

MAPS 

British Front 22 

Operations of June 19 and Aug. 3, 1918 46 

ChAteau-Thierry and Vesle Sectors 58 

Luneville and Vosges Sectors 82 

Verdun and St. Mihiel Sectors 116 

Argonne-Meuse Sector 134 



THE STORY OF 
THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 



THE STORY 
OF THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

CHAPTER I 

BEGINNINGS 

The Magna Carta of the regiment, to which we 
trace our origin and all our rights, is General 
Order io8 of the War Department, dated August 
15, 1 91 7. That order reads as follows: 

Under authority conferred by Section 2 of the Act 
of Congress "authorizing the President to increase 
temporarily the Military Establishment of the United 
States," approved May 18, 1917, the President directs 
that there be organized for the period of the existing 
emergency, the enlisted strength being raised by vol- 
untary enlistment or draft, the following special and 
technical engineer troops: 

A. For each army: 

(i) A Gas and Flame Service (one regiment). 

This authorization had resulted from a decision 
of the General Staff of the American Expedition- 
ary Forces to establish a Gas Service and to re- 
quire, as part of it, an offensive Gas Regiment. 
Such a service was established on September 2 by 
General Order 31 of General Headquarters of 
the A.E.F. and Colonel Amos A. Fries was ap- 



2 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

pointed as its chief. The immediate task of raising 
and training this new regiment — to be known 
as "The Thirtieth Engineers" ^ — was given to 
Captain Earl J. Atkisson, Corps of Engineers, 
who was assigned to the regiment on August 30, 
and ordered to report to the Commanding Officer 
of Camp American University, D.C. With our 
leader and our standing thus assured, the remain- 
ing needs were for officers, men, equipment, and 
information. In order of their availability these 
were sought for and found. During the early part 
of September arrangements were made whereby 
the investigations, experiments, and conclusions 
of the Bureau of Mines and the Gas Defense Sec- 
tion (then part of the Surgeon General's Depart- 
ment) could be utilized, a step which led to the 
helpful co5rdination of useful material. Initial 
requisitions, furthermore, and full plans of organ- 
ization, were prepared in advance to speed the 
readiness of the regiment for foreign service. 
Lieutenant Harris E. Dexter, of the 20th Engi- 
neers, reported to Major Atkisson^ on September 
9, and two days later Corporal Eugene P. Welcher, 
of the Headquarters Detachment, 20th Engineers, 
was detailed for duty as stenographer. 

^ From August, 1917, to August, 1918, the name of the regi- 
ment was "The Thirtieth Engineers." Thereafter our title was 
"The First Gas Regiment." 

* Accepted commission as Major, September 25, 1917. . 




COLONEL EARL J. ATKISSON 
Commanding Officer 



BEGINNINGS 3 

The quest for personnel began with a search for 
officers who were Hkely to have the required skill. 
Some were obtained from Engineer training 
camps, some from civil life. While this was pro- 
ceeding, the nucleus of our enlisted men began 
with the formation on October 2 of a Second 
Casual Company of the 20th Engineers, then 
stationed at Camp American University. These 
original 34 men, picked because of their special 
training and their desire to see service more excit- 
ing than foresting afforded, were moved into 
separate barracks and placed under the command 
of Lieutenant Malinka. By October 10 they 
totaled 59 men. Five days later came at length 
the official authority to organize a battalion of 
two companies of 250 men each and a Battalion 
Headquarters of 24 men, with a commissioned 
personnel of 16 officers.^ 

From then on it became possible to appeal di- 
rectly to the public. Letters asking for cooperation 
and circulars describing the future regiment were 
dispatched to many prominent gas, mechanical, 
and chemical engineers, to different gas and chem- 
ical associations, and to the large industrial plants 
who might have in their employ the men we 
needed. Citation of the new authorization and 

* First indorsement, W.D., A.G.O., October 15, 1917, to Chief 
of Engineers. 



4 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

information regarding the men desired was sent 
to all of the United States recruiting officers and 
district Engineer officers. And, finally, vigorous 
publicity work began with the help of 350 news- 
papers all over the country. Special articles were 
reproduced by syndicates; and few intelligent 
Americans were left without an opportunity to 
learn about the new "Gas and Flame Regiment" 
and the exceptional chances it afforded. This 
campaign, conducted without cost to the Govern- 
ment, was made possible by the generous cooper- 
ation of the press. 

Most of the articles make good reading, and 
they are worth quoting, even at length, for to 
their initial efforts we owe so large a number of 
our recruits. As typical of these appeals, we read 
in the "Boston Transcript" for October 26: 

Washington, October 26. "Only keen, red-blooded 
men who are desirous of seeing active service are 
wanted for this regiment" — so announces Major 
E. J. Atkisson, Corps of Engineers, upon whom has 
been placed the duty of organizing the "Hell Fire" 
regiment with which to fight the Germans. Officially 
the new regiment will not bear this striking title, al- 
though it is known officially as the "Gas and Flame 
Battalion" of The Thirtieth Engineers at Camp 
American University. Like the celebrated Camouflage 
Battalion, it is being organized on the cabled request 
of Lieutenant-General John J. Pershing for a body of 
men to do pioneer work in the front-line trenches in 



BEGINNINGS 5 

Flanders. The Germans violated all the laws of war 
and humanity with their introduction of searing 
flames and poison gases into the trenches of the Allies, 
and now American genius and patriotism are relied 
upon to beat the Hun at his own game. For reasons 
which will be suggested later, Army officers are confi- 
dent that this can be done. 

Major Atkisson, who is forming this unique battal- 
ion, is an officer of the Regular Army, a graduate of 
West Point and Cornell, who has specialized in elec- 
trical and mechanical engineering. For eighteen months 
he worked under Sibert on the locks of the Gatun Dam 
and is thoroughly familiar with that wonderful piece 
of engineering which will carry the name of Sibert for- 
ever as high as that of any other man that was associ- 
ated in the Panama Canal enterprise. The Major also 
has been director of electrical and mechanical engi- 
neering in the Engineer School of the Army and thus 
is in every way fitted to conduct the operations which 
will require a thorough working knowledge of mechan- 
ical technique. 

The Government is calling for volunteers for the 
Gas and Flame Battalion. The immediate need is of 
250 privates, 30 chemists, 12 interpreters who speak 
French, 12 electrical experts, 24 mechanical experts, 
12 explosive experts, 10 gas experts, 6 blacksmiths, 
10 steam engineers, 8 carpenters, 8 gas engineers, 6 
plumbers, 8 pipe-fitters, 32 chauffeurs, 12 cooks, 8 
clerks, 2 mess sergeants, and 2 supply sergeants. All 
men must first enlist as privates at $33 a month and 
expenses. Men with the necessary experience may be 
assigned to special duty and given non-commissioned 
ranks at rates of pay ranging from $42 to $96 a month 
and expenses, which include food, clothing, medical 
attendance, and transportation. Those who enlist will 
be eligible immediately for promotion. Many of the 



6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

non-commissioned places will be filled almost immedi- 
ately upon entrance to the service, and opportunities 
will develop with service. As it is hoped to make this a 
volunteer organization, men of the qualifications al- 
ready stated, including also automobile repair men, 
need not be of the prescribed age for the selective 
draft, but may be anywhere between eighteen and 
forty years of age. The privilege of enlistment will be 
lost by men already called by a local board in the 
draft, but men will be drafted from the selected army 
to fill the ranks of the Gas and Flame Regiment if 
necessary, and presumably drafted men of the classes 
named above who would like to be among the pioneers 
in the latest development of modern warfare would 
be given preference in making the selection. 

The "Hell Fire Battalion" offers a real chance for 
men to perform active service on the battle front. 
They will go to France earlier than men in many other 
commands and they will be at the head of the great 
offensive which supposedly will open in the spring. 
They often will be the vanguard of the attacking forces, 
supported by the whole power of the great military 
organization behind them, with its thousands of can- 
non, and its hundreds of thousands of rifles. The faith 
expressed by Army officers of the ability of the United 
States to teach the Germans the war game in the use 
of their own hellish weapons is based not so much 
upon the possible superiority of American over Ger- 
man chemists as on the inventiveness of the American 
mind in the designing of apparatus for the projection 
of gases and of flames, and, above all, upon the in- 
exhaustible resources of the United States which will 
enable the American troops to make use of an equip- 
ment immeasurably better than the Germans can 
command. The time has gone by for any ethical dis- 
cussion as to the propriety of using gas and flames 



BEGINNINGS 7 

against the enemy. The Germans started the fiendish 
practice and are keeping it up. The American prefer- 
ence would incline toward the use of a gas that would 
stupefy and not kill or poison, but the Germans have 
set the pace and the practical officers of the Army 
realize that their fire must be fought with hotter fire. 

These forms of advertisement, however, were 
not confined to any one section of the country. 
Like accounts, for instance, appeared in the 
Florida "Times-Union," in the Houston "Chron- 
icle," and in the "Engineering News- Record." 

Results quickly followed. Beginning with Octo- 
ber 19, the stream of recruits was almost con- 
tinuous. The first man to enlist directly for The 
Thirtieth was F. C. Devlin, who applied for en= 
listment at Pittsburgh, enlisted at Washington 
Barracks, and reported at Camp American Uni- 
versity on October 19. During the next two weeks 
21 other recruits had reported. Eleven new officers 
had been assigned to the regiment and one at- 
tached, making a total of 15 ofificers. 
5 During this period of the search for personnel 
and its subsequent organization, similar progress, 
equally valuable, had been made in technical and 
supply work. Captain C. P. Wood, who assumed 
his duties September 20, was given charge of the 
Engineer work, and began at once to gather all 
possible information on the subject of the Gas 



8 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Service, from the War College, the Bureau of 
Mines, and various other sources. On the basis of 
such information, Captain Wood made recom- 
mendations for the purchase of equipment and 
conducted experiments and tests. 

On October 24 the progress of the past month 
was celebrated and the new regimental spirit of 
The Thirtieth signalized by a "Mess Kit Supper" 
and dance given by the men for the members and 
friends of the regiment. The supper was given in 
the Mess Hall, and the rest of the programme 
carried out in the Assembly Room of the Hall of 
History building. During the course of the evening 
Major Atkisson made a brief address, and was 
followed in turn by Captain Wood and Lieutenant 
Hall. The regiment had already begun to feel 
itself a unit. 



CHAPTER II 

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST AND SECOND 
BATTALIONS 

Company A and Battalion Headquarters were 
organized on October i6, and assignment of 
officers was at once made. Among the latter were 
Lieutenant H. W. Favre and Lieutenant Scott 
Trammell, who, in addition to their other duties, 
were directed to prepare to take charge of a second 
company when the need should arise. The story 
of the succeeding month is one of rapid accession 
to the numbers of officers and men. On November 
3, B Company was formed, with Lieutenant 
Favre in command, and nine days later Captain 
Gribbel took command of Company A. Little by 
little the ranks of the companies were filled, by 
transfers from A to B and to A and B from the 
Second Casual Company of the 20th Engineers. 
By November 16, eight more officers had reported, 
and two days later non-commissioned officers for 
both companies were appointed. On November 
20, 120 men arrived from Fort Slocum, N.Y. 
On 'November 28, Regimental Headquarters was 
authorized and organized. 
. While this building-up process was going on 



lo THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

The Thirtieth continued to court and to receive 
publicity. A highly colored account of what we 
were, or were thought to be, may be read in the 
Baltimore "Evening Star" for November 15: 

HELL FIRE BATTALION 

Washington, November I5. If His Satanic Majesty 
happened to drop around at the American University 
training camp to-day, he would see the "Hell Fire 
Battalion" at work and might blush with envy. 

On the War Department records the battalion is 
known as the "Gas and Flame Battalion of the Thir- 
tieth Regiment Engineers." Throughout the Army 
they are known as the "Hell Fire Boys," This name is 
literally true. A group of red-blooded Americans, most 
of them youths, are daily training in gas and flame 
fighting and learning how to make a literal inferno in 
return for German "f rightfulness." 

Gas and flame fighting is a new wrinkle in the 
American Army, but the "Hell Fire Battalion" has 
taken to it as the duck takes to water. It is a volunteer 
organization. Every man has offered his services. 
There is a general rush of engineers to get transfers to 
the battalion, for it offers more possibilities of adven- 
ture and action than almost any other branch of the 
service. The "Hell Fire Battalion" is going "over 
there" within a short time. To-day they are preparing 
for the trip. Full equipment has been issued, and they 
expect to see action as soon as they arrive. There will 
be no long period in training camps for the "Hell Fire 
Boys." They will go immediately to the front, where 
they will train under actual war conditions with 
French and British "gassers." Thousands of dollars 
have been spent in research work for the "Hell Fire 



ORGANIZATION ii 

Battalion." They are going to Europe equipped with 
a gas mask that experts claim far surpasses anything 
in use now. Moreover, they will take with them gas 
ammunition tanks and tanks of "hell fire," that are 
recent inventions. 

In addition to gas work, the "Hell Fire Boys" are 
becoming smoke artists. They are practicing daily 
with smoke clouds. Over the campus at American 
University they are sending out huge black volumes 
of smoke. In Europe these smoke clouds are used to 
hide troop movements and to unnerve the enemy. The 
enemy never knows what is back of a smoke cloud. It 
always causes nervous excitement, for it inevitably 
is followed by an attack from some unexpected point. 
There will be but one gas and flame regiment for each 
American army. As a result of this policy the gas and 
flame fighters get a greater variety of action than any 
other unit. There is no long station at one place. They 
move about quickly from one front to another. Gas 
attacks always come in the heaviest battles and the 
**Hell Fire Boys" expect to be among those present at 
every big attack made by the American forces. 

To the men the necessary training that filled 
the months of November and December looked 
suspiciously like close-order drill; but the public 
continued to think of them as dealing chiefly 
in poisonous gas and hell fire. With occasional 
experiments, such as the use of smoke clouds, 
disciplinary drill went steadily on as the com- 
panies grew more and more ready for overseas 
service. 

In anticipation of orders to leave, an impressive 



12 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

step in the life of the regiment was taken on De- 
cember 9. At 3 P.M. on the Wisconsin Avenue pa- 
rade grounds, at Camp American University, there 
was held a special ceremony to receive the regi- 
mental colors presented by Mrs. John Markle, 
aunt of Lieutenant Robinson, of Company B. 
The colors were taken out by a color guard and 
presented by the Regimental Adjutant to a guard 
in command of Lieutenant Owen, Company B, 
sent out from the battalion formed in line. The 
guard, bearing the colors, then returned to their 
place in line, and the battalion passed in review 
before the Commanding Officer.^ 

Some weeks later, on December 22, the bat- 
talion again made a creditable appearance in 
public. At 8 A.M. on that day. Companies A and 
B, with the Regimental, Battalion, and Medical 
Detachments, left camp for an eight-mile practice 
march. On returning to camp at 10.30 a.m., orders 
were received from the Post Commander to pro- 
ceed at once to pass in review before the Secretary 
of War in front of the State, War, and Navy 
Building in Washington. Packs were taken off 
hurriedly, the command was on the road at 10.50, 
and after a march of five miles, stood ready 
at 12.07 to pass in review. The command, led by 

* Major Atkisson received his commission as Lieutenant- 
Colonel, N.A., on December 20. 



ORGANIZATION 13 

the regimental band,* was reviewed by the Secre- 
tary of War. Among those on his staff were Gen- 
eral T. H. Bliss, Chief of Staff; Major-General 
John Biddle, Assistant Chief of Staff; Major- 
General W. M. Black, Chief of Engineers; Briga- 
dier-General E. E. Winslow, Corps of Engineers; 
and Colonel C. E. Potter, Director of the Gas 
Service. After the review the organization marched 
directly back to Camp American University, ar- 
riving about 2.30 P.M., and thus completed, with- 
out a man dropping out, a march of 18 miles, 8 
miles of which had been in heavy marching order. 
The long-awaited order to leave for overseas 
service called for departure on Christmas Day. 
At 3.30 P.M. on December 25, the command ^ was 
formed on Massachusetts Avenue, and marched 
through Washington in a snowstorm to the rail- 
road siding. There they entrained at 6 p.m. for 
the "Port of Embarkation." At 3.30 a.m. the fol- 
lowing day the battalion arrived at Jersey City, 
detrained at 7 a.m. and, after a short ferry trip to 
the Hoboken piers, embarked on the U.S. Trans- 
port President Grant, former Hamburg- American 
liner, which sailed that afternoon at four o'clock. 
Colonel Atkisson, who had accompanied the com- 

* Organization of the band had begun December 6. The instru- 
ments were the gift of Major Weinberg. 

* The command that sailed included Regimental H.Q., First 
Battalion H.Q., ^nd Companies A and B. 



14 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

mand to the pier, returned to Fort Myer to be 
with the Second Battahon. 

Other troops on the transport were the 2ist 
Engineers, the 303d Stevedore Regiment, a cas- 
ual detachment, and an Ordnance detachment. 
Colonel Peek, commanding the 21st Engineers, 
assumed command of the troops. The other ships 
in the convoy were the U.S. Transport Pastores 
and the U.S.S. Rochester. To these were added, 
two days before reaching France, a squadron of 
destroyers. The chief event, memorable for all on 
board, was a submarine attack in which the Presi- 
dent Grant escaped a torpedo only by a prompt 
change of course, and which ended with an entry 
on the ship's log that a German submarine had 
been sunk. Though no men of The Thirtieth were 
responsible for this unusual victory, several of our 
members performed admirable service as volun- 
teer firemen during the voyage, of which a letter 
from the Captain expresses grateful appreciation. 

U.S.S. President Grant 

Base Seven 

January 11, 1918 
From: Commanding Officer. 
To : Colonel Commanding Troops. 
Subject: Appreciation of voluntary services of the 
firemen of the 21st and 30th Engineers. 
I. I desire to express my very sincere thanks, 



ORGANIZATION 15 

through you, to the below named men of the 30th 
Engineers, who on the recent voyage have assisted in 
the fireroom of this vessel : 

Private ist CI. R. Hamilton. 
Private ist CI. E. P. Frink. 
Private A. W. Archer. 
Private R. C. David. 
Wagoner C. B. Barnes. 
Musician W. F. Evans. 

2. The consistently good performance of the boilers 
enabled us to arrive exactly on scheduled time in spite 
of unlocked for contrary winds and heavy seas. There 
are many excellent firemen among the men enumer- 
ated and our own firemen received much valuable 
training from them. 

3. To have performed this service in the most dan- 
gerous part of the ship, all through the war-zone, indi- 
cates magnificent spirit on their part. It is not so bad 
to be on deck where you can see what's happening, 
but I always feel a peculiar anxiety and sympathy for 
those whose duties call them to the fire and engine 
room, and where, in case of disaster, their chances of 
surviving are very much reduced. To have volunteered 
for this duty was splendid, and I hope that each of the 
men will know how grateful the officers and crew of 
this vessel are for the services they rendered. 

J. P. Morton 

The President Grant arrived at Brest at 10 A.M. 
on January 10, 191 8, but the troops did not land 
for eight days. Our men finally disembarked on 
January 18, and entrained the same afternoon. 
After forty-eight hours of railroad travel, -they 



i6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

left the train at Wizernes, marched to Helfaut, 
near St. Omer (January 20, 4 p.m.), and were 
immediately billeted. 

Almost a month before the First Battalion set 
out for France, it became possible to start the 
organization of the Second Battalion. On Novem- 
ber 28, the First Casual Company of The Thirtieth 
was formed, with Lieutenant Scott Trammell in 
charge of 90 recruits. This company was sent for 
training to Belvoir, Va., and a week later the re- 
cruits, now numbering 137, were assigned as pri- 
vates. On December 9, Captain Lowenberg took 
command, with four first lieutenants and one sec- 
ond lieutenant as additional officers; and Com- 
pany C began its formal existence. 

Company D meanwhile had begun to be visible. 
On December 5, Lieutenant Stoepker took charge 
of 39 privates, drawn from the First Casual Com- 
pany, and the next day Lieutenant Dayton took 
command of what was now Company D. On De- 
cember 14, Company C, then at Belvoir, and 
Company D, then at Camp American University, 
moved to Fort Myer, where Captain Geiger as- 
sumed command of Company D. The men were 
quartered in barracks adjoining those of the Sec- 
ond Cavalry, and remained at this post until their 
departure for France. Recruits continued to ar- 
rive, and by the end of the year C Company was 



ORGANIZATION 17 

183 and D 167 strong.^ At the New Year non- 
commissioned officers were appointed for both 
companies, and three weeks later both had reached 
their full strength. 

Most of the training of these companies, up to 
this time, had consisted of the necessary initial 
work of close-order drill. A further valuable step 
in their education was now made possible by 
arrangements for a fortnight's rifle practice. Be- 
tween January 20 and 22, the battalion was trans- 
ported a distance of 45 miles in motor trucks to 
Annapolis, where it encamped at the Naval Tar- 
get Range. With naval officers to superintend the 
schedules and instruction, and with bluejackets 
as guides and teachers, all our officers and men 
shot both the Navy and Army courses, under the 
difficult conditions contributed by severe cold and 
frequent snowfall.^ The officers in Camp at An- 
napolis will always remember gratefully, both as 
helpful organizers and as cordial friends, Lieuten- 
ant Harrington and Ensigns Zink and Simpson. 
By way of showing their appreciation of their 
naval hosts and teachers, our officers and men 
organized an entertainment for all the naval men, 
which took place in the Annapolis Armory on the 

^ Second Battalion H.Q. had been organized December 28. 

* The range record for the Army course as shot by Company 
C included 2 sharpshooters and 44 marksmen. D Company 
achieved 5 sharpshooters and 38 marksmen. ' 



i8 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

evening of January 31, and which included a suc- 
cessful programme of basketball, boxing, music, 
and refreshments. 

On the Saturday and Sunday following, the 
entire command returned to Fort Myer (Febru- 
ary 2 and 3), and there began the work of final 
preparation for impending departure. The de- 
parture continued to impend for three weeks more 
— a period actively given over to procuring and 
inspecting all necessary equipment. Time also 
was found for Company C to organize an orches- 
tra which was "the feature of the evening" at 
a dance and supper given on February 13, in 
cooperation with 125 ladies, employees of the 
Treasury Department. Sunday services held by 
the Chaplain became from now on a regular 
feature of the weekly schedule. 

During the week of February 17, the work of 
preparation was more tense and interesting. Fre- 
quent practice marches were undertaken, usually 
preceded by "get-away" drills as rehearsals of 
final departure. On Monday afternoon, February 
25, at 3.30, the companies assembled with full 
equipment, and after roll-call, marched to the 
Roslyn Station, near the Potomac Bridge, where 
they entrained with neatness and dispatch.^ The 
train left at 5 p.m. and reached Jersey City at 

^ Battalion Headquarters remained behind. 



ORGANIZATION 19 

2.30 A.M. After four hours of waiting and a brief 
ferry trip, the battalion was reassembled on the 
pier at Hoboken, and before 1 1 a.m. had embarked 
on the U.S. Transport Agamemnon, 22,000 tons, 
once the Kaiser Wilhelm II. Colonel Atkisson 
joined the battalion aboard ship. He had left Fort 
Myer on February 3, with orders to proceed to 
France, but an attack of diphtheria had delayed 
his departure, fortunately not too long to prevent 
his sailing with his own men. 

On the evening of the following day the Aga- 
memnon sailed. Lieutenant-Colonel Stacey, of 
the 28th Infantry, assumed command of the 
troops on board, which included part of the 26th 
Engineers, and several Signal Corps and Casual 
companies. The convoy consisted, besides the 
Agamemnon, of the U.S. Transports Mt. Vernon 
(the former Kronprinzessin Cecilie) and America 
(the Amerika), joined, on March 3, by the U.S. 
Armored Cruiser Seattle, bearing the Secretary 
of War. Daily "abandon-ship" drills kept the men 
in proper training, and almost nightly "movies" 
helped to lighten the long evenings. Two days 
after entering the "danger zone" came what 
looked like an attack on a submarine, in the 
course of which the Seattle fired three shots astern 
and sharply changed her course. The America 
fired one of her five-inch guns, and a call to 



20 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

quarters sounded on all the ships. A few minutes 
later "recall" followed, and unlimited discussion 
began as to the cause of the incident. The log, 
however, unfortunately records that we attacked 
no more than a floating log. Early next morning 
the convoy was cheered by the sight of a flock of 
destroyers which accompanied the transports to 
port. 

Though they escaped casualties from attacks, 
the companies were unfortunate enough to lose 
three men on the voyage by death from pneu- 



monia, 



On Sunday morning, March lo, the Agamem- 
non anchored in the harbor of Brest, and between 
three and five o'clock the next afternoon the bat- 
talion disembarked and marched four miles to the 
Pontanezen Barracks, quarters designed by Vau- 
ban and used by Napoleon. After two days at this 
post, the companies entrained at Brest, and began 
on March 13, at 3.40 p.m., the journey which 
ended March 16, at 3 a.m., at the town of Langres 
(Haute-Marne). Shortly after noon the companies 
formed and marched three miles to the village 
of Humes, on the river Marne, where they were 
billeted. 

^ Sergeant Carroll and Private Farrell, Company C, and Pri- 
vate Hartman, Company D. 



CHAPTER III 

THE OVERSEAS TRAINING OF THE FIRST AND 
SECOND BATTALIONS 

The day after arriving at Helfaut, the First 
Battalion was stationed at Depot Special Brigade, 
Royal Engineers. Officers and men of the bat- 
talion then began, under Major W. Campbell- 
Smith, M.C., R.E., a five weeks' course of training 
in offensive gas warfare. The instruction, given by 
officers of the Special Companies, consisted largely 
in field work, supplemented by occasional lec- 
tures. By the time this preliminary education was 
completed, our men were ready to take an active 
share in work on the British front. Each platoon 
was attached to a Special Company of the Royal 
Engineers^ and while remaining at times in the 

* Assignments of our platoons to Special Companies, R.E.: 

1st platoon, Company A, to F Special Company at Erquinghem. 

2d platoon, Company A, to Z Special Company at Neuve 
Eglise. 

3d platoon, Company A, to No. 2 Special Company at Neuve 
Eglise. 

4th platoon. Company A, to L Special Company at Nieppe. 

1st platoon, Company B, to No. 4 Special Company at Bethune. 

2d platoon. Company B, to B Special Company at Sains-en- 
Gohelle. 

3d platoon. Company B, to M Special Company at Verquin. 

4th platoon, Company B, to O Special Company at Sains-en- 
Gohelle. 



22 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

charge of its own officers, worked under the super- 
vision of British commanders.^ The portion of 
front over which the platoons were extended in- 
cluded, roughly, the thirty mile stretch from 
Ypres to Lens, a battle-ground already historic, 
and on the verge of becoming even more famous. 
Five platoons had reached their stations at the 
front as early as March 2, and within less than 
two weeks were joined by all the others. By thus 
entering upon front-line warfare less than three 
months after completing its organization and six 
weeks after landing upon French soil, the First 
Battalion of The Thirtieth holds the record 
(among combatant troops) for speed. 

Six of the eight platoons were engaged in in- 
stalling projectors; the other two worked with 
Stokes mortars.^ The routine task of preparation, 
and the even more trying task of waiting for 
favorable weather conditions, occupied most of 
the first two or three weeks of March. This rou- 
tine varied with each platoon according to its 
location and the work assigned. Several platoons 
had forward billets and remained for work in 
that area for from two to six days, alternating 

* This work was strictly active warfare. Partly, however, for 
convenience, partly in deference to the fact that the operations 
were under British direction, this period is classed under "Over- 
seas Training." 

^ A description of these weapons will be found in Appendix D. 



iSt.Omer 



Hazebrouck'y 



V y^ ^pres' 

^ Messines* A^S^Tij? l<- 

Neuve E'^ise, V^■V.,;,. .>v vyWarnl-ton 
Plcteprsteert* /*^ ' 

Nieppe* '"Ni/J 

■,x^,^tiAro.a JHjouplines 



Armeniiefes^ 

Erquin^emi- 



Airei 



R 



Mervijl; 



N/i ^C 



Auchy" 



Lai 
io- Basfee'e 1 



LilleJ 



E/ 



Anneguiri* 
San, 



leguin • 
anjy* 



•HuUuch 



'\/ \ j Vs^^ /Grena^ Loos 

...Dieval ^BarlinA^^^"^ ><- • 






■•"•^ 






Vimy 



o 

rrasj 



A' 



%-^ 



BRITISH FRONT 

Statute Miles 






10 16 20 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 23 

these periods with a few days of rest in billets far- 
ther to the rear. Most of the platoons, however, 
had but one set of billets, and migrated every day 
or two to the front for digging. But in either case 
the normal events were nightly digging and daily 
resting. Yet a description purely in terms of 
"digging" and "rest billets" gives too placid and 
peace-time a picture of the life of these companies. 
"Billets" were often merely a few cubic feet in 
the cellars of some ruined village (as at Cit6 St. 
Pierre) and "digging" involved working in the 
open on ground between front and support or 
support and reserve trenches. Add to this the 
constant need to inspect and repair projectors 
even after they had been installed, and the con- 
tinual passage of trucks or trains over roads 
"marked" and often observed by the enemy, and 
the picture will be truer to the realities of warfare 
which our platoons encountered. Their risks were 
real enough to result in three or four casualties 
from machine-gun or shell-fire and fourteen or 
fifteen more from gas, even before they had 
"pulled off" any "shows." Company A's fourth 
platoon was under heavy shell-fire during the 
bombardment of Nieppe on March 1 1 ; ten days 
later the first platoon was shelled with mustard 
and phosgene gas at Erquinghem; and on March 
23 the Stokes mortar platoon (third) suffered from 



24 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

machine-gun fire at Neuve Eglise. These days of 
duty with the British, in short, may have been 
for purposes of training, but about the training 
there was nothing academic. 

Between March 19 and April 4, the Special 
Companies, assisted by our men, carried out a 
series of gas attacks on the enemy — the fruit of 
the weeks of labor and waiting. The second pla- 
toon of Company A, which had reached the front 
on March 10, took part in the action of March 19, 
east of Messines Ridge, when 1 122 projectors were 
fired. Two nights later all the platoons of B Com- 
pany participated in attacks, in the course of 
which two men were killed ^ and two wounded. 
The first platoon assisted in a Stokes mortar 
operation in front of Houplines; the second as- 
sisted in the preparation and discharge of 2500 
projectors upon a target close to Lens; the third 
was engaged in a similar but smaller attack in the 
Bois Rase; and the fourth helped in the firing of 
620 projectors into Lens. On March 2"] the third 
platoon of Company A, manning eight Stokes 
mortars, participated in a gas operation against 
Warneton; and the next day the three projector 
platoons of B Company carried out their second 
"shows" upon the same targets. The succeeding 
week was equally full of activity. On March 31 
^ Private First Class Gray and Private Neal. 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 25 

(Easter Day) the first and fourth platoons of 
Company A were in action, the former helping 
to fire 1800 projectors east of Armentieres, the 
latter digging in and firing 400 into Warneton. 
The same night A's third platoon was in charge 
of twelve Stokes mortars firing upon Warneton. 
The following day the third platoon of B took 
part in a projector attack (675 guns) upon Cit6 
St. Auguste and the second shot 400 reset guns 
against Lens. On the night of April 2, A's second 
platoon assisted in resetting and firing 478 guns; 
while B's first platoon (then divided) executed a 
Stokes mortar attack in the direction of Hulluch, 
and established a smoke screen 500 yards south 
in connection with a successful infantry raid. 
The latter may rank as first among the many 
famous smoke screens thrown by The Thirtieth. 
Finally the fourth platoon of B shared in the 
discharge, on April 3, of 1600 projectors into 
Lens. 

The original plans for the education with the 
British of the First Battalion had contemplated 
successive steps toward independence, in which 
first our single platoons and later our single com- 
panies should have assigned to them distinct sta- 
tions or sectors wherein they could carry out their 
share of the whole work planned. By the first week 
in April all the platoons were reported as ready 



26 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

for the first steps, though only one or two had 
been given opportunities to act as units; and the 
time was not far off when both companies could 
have begun to operate as distinct additions to the 
British Special Companies. But the course of this 
evolution was rudely interrupted, and all other 
immediate plans of British and Americans swal- 
lowed up by the progress of the great German 
offensive. Beginning on March 21 with a drive 
toward Amiens, during which heavy gains in terri- 
tory were made in Picardy, the German attack 
was next pressed with equal force against the 
British front between Ypres and Lens. Before 
this phase of the offensive was fully under way 
the rearrangement of British plans made neces- 
sary the transfer of our platoons. A cylinder oper- 
ation was planned on a large scale to be under- 
taken by most of the Special Companies, R.E., 
all of which were by this time with the First Army 
around Lens. The area for this operation included 
the territory between La Bass6e Canal and Hill 
70. In view of these designs, it was agreed be- 
tween the British Commanders and ours that 
our companies could not only best advance their 
own training, but also be of the greatest assistance 
at the moment by joining the preparation for this 
extensive gas attack. On April 6, therefore, the 
companies moved to the new locations assigned 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 27 

and began work. This work was being carried on 
well within the active area of the greatest battle 
in history, and our battahon began soon to share 
the losses as well as the labors of those critical 
weeks. On April 8 and 9, the enemy shelled this 
entire front with mustard gas, putting over some 
80,000 shells in forty-eight hours and throwing 
out of action, among others, a whole reserve bri- 
gade of British troops. Casualties everywhere, 
military and civilian, were very heavy. The woods 
were choked with ambulances and with swarms 
of French refugees. During these days our men 
were busy with cylinder installations; and though 
the concentration of gas to which they were sub- 
jected was slight, the fact of their continued work 
made casualties inevitable, and by April 9, 51 
men of Company A were listed as wounded, in- 
cluding Captain Gribbel and Lieutenant Judson. 
On that day, too, the first deaths in the company 
occurred. A line of trucks returning with men to 
billets at dawn was caught in an enemy barrage 
near Annequin, and before the men could take 
shelter, Private Hass was killed and Corporal 
Dodd so seriously wounded that he died within a 
few hours. ^ Company B's Hst of gas casualties 
was briefer, but some 14 men were sent to the 

^ Corporal A. W. Jones (later Sergeant and Second Lieuten- 
ant) was awarded the D.S.C. for his gallantry on this occasion. 
See Appendix E. 



28 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

hospital. The following day was marked by the 
German drive for Merville against the Portuguese 
contingent. On April 1 1 , Company B was ordered 
to move out of the fighting zone and to assist in 
an extensive movement of stores from Sains-en- 
Gohelle to Di6val. Company A continued work 
on the cylinder operation for ten days longer.^ 
With one company thus out of danger and with 
the other permitted by a lull in the offensive to 
work under less galling conditions, the subsequent 
casualties in the battalion were very few. But 
the fact that on April 14 B Company's effective 
strength was only 136 is clear evidence that in 
those days of Allied stress and risk our regiment 
had not been mainly concerned with saving itself. 
Decisions had been difficult as to how far our 
duties as a nucleus of the American Gas Service 
conflicted with our duties as fellow-fighters with 
the British; but none will regret that, before our 
departure, the opportunity was given and taken 
to spend our strength gladly in the common 
cause. 

The withdrawal of the First Battalion was com- 
pleted on April 22 when the command entrained 
at Barlin for Auchy-les-Hesdin. After a stay of 
three days there, the men were moved by train 

* This famous operation had not been carried out when our 
last man left, though at least one Boche, from across "No Man's 
Land," was heard to urge its speedy execution. 




LA VILLE-AUX-BOIS 




FOUR-INCH STOKES TRENCH MORTAR 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 29 

to Chaumont,^ and after a march of four miles 
arrived at La Ville-aux-Bois.^ 

For three months our men had been under 
British direction, not merely in cooperation, but so 
mingled as to be working shoulder to shoulder with 
their allies. As an aspect of minor importance, 
the contact was socially a success. Americans, for 
some reason, will always show surprise at the un- 
mistakably British traits of the British, and their 
cousins cannot overlook the fact that Americans 
tend to be intensely American ; but such contrasts 
seem not to have made for discord. Baseball 
games with the Colonials, entertainments and 
concerts, mutually given and enjoyed, all ex- 
pressed and promoted good feeling. The officers, 
too, who messed as well as worked with their 
British colleagues, retain the happiest memories 
of the friendship and hospitality of their teachers 
and allies. 

Turning from play, however, to the main story 
of work achieved, it will always be gratifying to 
members of The Thirtieth that we were not the 
first to word the praise of our own record. That 

^ Chaumont, La Ville-aux-Bois, and Langres, Humes, and 
Choignes (subsequently mentioned) are too far behind the front 
to appear on the maps. Chaumont (American G.H.Q.) is 55 miles 
southwest of Toul. La Ville-aux-Bois and Choignes are villages 
close by. Langres, with Humes close by, is 25 miles southeast 
of Chaumont. It was the center of the "school area" for the 
A.E.F. 



30 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

has been done better than we should dare to do 
it, in the letters that follow:^ 

First Army No. G.S. 1036/2 
O.C, Special Companies, R.E. 

Reference your G 366, d/-3-4-i8. 
The Army commander has read your report on 
the operations carried out by Special Companies on 
1st and 2nd April, and is glad to see the operations 
have been efficiently carried out. He wishes to express 
his satisfaction at the assistance which you report has 
been rendered by American platoons attached to the 
Special Companies engaged, and desires to convey his 
congratulations to the American officers and other 
ranks who have been employed. 

(Signed) W. H. Anderson 

Major General 
General Staff, First Army 

Directorate of Gas Service, B.E.F. 

26th of April, 1918 
Dear Major Robbe: 

I have much pleasure in enclosing a copy of a 
letter just received from Colonel Kent. 

From what I have seen and heard of your companies 

^ Typical of the praise received by different individual pla- 
toons is the following letter to Lieutenant Morey: 

April II, 1918 
Lieut. D. Morey, Jr. 
U.S. Army. 
Will you please let me thank you for the splendid way in 
which you and your men have helped us in the past month of 
stress? Their efforts have been magnificent, and are gratefully 
appreciated by myself and those above me. 

J. M. Bansall, Captain, R.E. 
O.C. Z Special Co., R.E. 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 31 

I fully endorse all that he says of them; and perhaps 
you will permit me to say that all of us in the British 
Gas Service have the greatest possible admiration for 
your officers and men. 

They quickly made friends with us at Helfaut and 
this friendship has been cemented during the weeks in 
which we have worked together at the front. 

Moreover, I think that the first experiment that 
has been made in France of training American with 
British troops has met with unqualified success. 

I wish you every good fortune in your future deal- 
ings with the Germans: we shall watch your deeds 
with the greatest interest while we engage you in 
friendly rivalry. 

Yours very sincerely 
(Signed) General Foulkes 

H.Q. Special Brigade, R.E. 

The two American Companies which have been 
attached to the Special Companies of this Army area 
are leaving on Tuesday, 23d, instant. 

Their conduct both in and out of the line has been 
admirable. They have worked with our personnel 
during actual cylinder, mortar, and projector oper- 
ations. 

In several projector operations they have been 
assigned a definite part of the operation, emplacing 
and firing a definite number of batteries. In 4" Stokes 
gas bombardments, the American platoon attached 
was distributed among the crews of the mortars, load- 
ing and firing certain of the mortars allotted for the 
operation. 

Lately they have received valuable experience in 
transporting to, and emplacing cylinders in, the front 
line. In all the operations, cylinder, trench mortar, 



32 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

and projector, they have followed such operations 
from the very commencement. 

Officers and N.C.O.'s show a very keen and intelli- 
gent interest in the work, and I am quite certain that 
when they commence operations on their own, such 
operations will be carried through efficiently and suc- 
cessfully. 

(Signed) A. E. Kent, Lieut. Col. 

O.C. Special Companies R.E., First Army 

The Thirtieth will always be grateful to the 
First Battalion for having launched its reputa- 
tion on a high level, and maintained it under 
hard conditions. And that gratitude can never be 
separated from our gratitude to the British for 
having done everything to hasten the day when 
the American Army could begin to use its own 
Gas Regiment. Officially and unofficially our 
thanks are continual to Colonel Kent, to Major 
Campbell-Smith, and to all their subordinates for 
the instruction and cooperation which helped so 
vitally to set our standards and to initiate our 
career. 

' While the First Battalion was at the front dur- 
ing March and April, Companies C and D had 
been spending their first two weeks at Humes 
(near Langres) in becoming adjusted to their new 
quarters and in continuing the usual drills and 
"hikes." By March 26 all the company officers 
but three had been ordered away for duty else- 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 33 

where, chiefly for gas training at Helfaut. Within 
the next ten days the battalion had been strength- 
ened by the arrival of Captains Sibert, Kobbe, 
and Berlin, Lieutenants Owen, Firebaugh, Knox, 
and Hall, and Lieutenant J. P. Webster, of the 
Medical Detachment, all of whom had previously 
been in training with the First Battalion. Captain 
Sibert took command of the battalion,^ Captain 
Kobbe, of C Company, and Captain Berlin, of D. 
With this infusion of comparative veterans, train- 
ing became more active and specific. During this 
period all the men received their gas masks, and 
at the Gas School at Langres attended lectures 
and drills in gas defense. Occasional visits from 
Colonel Atkisson, as well as one from Colonel 
Fries, helped the officers in forming new plans 
and in putting new spirit into their execution. 

Training was also undertaken in the use of the 
bayonet and in grenade-throwing. Four lieuten- 
ants from the Army Schools at Langres, directed 
by Lieutenant Slater, gave the instruction in 
bombing. During the course of this practice — on 
April II — the first casualties in the Second Bat- 
talion occurred. Owing to the premature explo- 
sion of a bomb, just released above his head, Cap- 
tain Kobbe's right hand was blown off; First 
Sergeant McGuffie, of C Company, lost the use 

* Now known as the Provisional Battalion. 



34 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

of his right eye; and Private Berger, of C, and 
two bombing instructors suffered lesser injuries. 
Company C, of which Captain Sibert then took 
charge, had known Captain Kobbe long enough to 
regret sincerely the loss of a commander whom the 
company had already begun to admire ; and every 
officer began to miss keenly a delightful friend. 

During the time of this April training steps had 
been successfully taken by Regimental Head- 
quarters to secure for the use of The Thirtieth a 
large area east of Chaumont (hitherto almost un- 
used for military purposes), part of which had 
already been assigned for use as a Gas Service 
Experimental Field. A village in that area — La 
Ville-aux-Bois — was assigned to the First and 
Provisional Battalions; and on April 26 and 27 
the latter, now under command of Captain Wat- 
son, moved by truck from Humes, and took up 
their new quarters. Their behavior at Humes had 
been so nearly exemplary as to call forth a letter 
of praise from the Mayor and to justify from visit- 
ing inspectors high commendation for military 
manners and for sanitation. 

The day after its arrival at La Ville-aux-Bois 
the Provisional Battalion, as we have seen, was 
joined by the First Battalion, fresh from the Brit- 
ish front; and for nearly four weeks they were 
quartered together. Life on a regimental scale 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 35 

was then, for the first time, possible. Companies 
C and D had their first opportunity to rub shoul- 
ders with "veterans," and to absorb, in any 
quantity their creduHty allowed, stories of adven- 
tures and achievements on the British front. The 
faint air of superiority easily pardonable in young 
"veterans" seldom prevented cordial good feeling 
among the four companies; and sharing experi- 
ences as well as receiving instruction was a stimu- 
lus to the men of C and D. The chances were many 
for play in common. A series of six baseball games 
played for a cup offered by Colonel Atkisson re- 
sulted in a victory for Company D ; almost nightly 
entertainments, mainly provided with the inval- 
uable aid of the Y.M.C.A., filled the big tent with 
men; the band took a new lease of life; and B 
Company won instant renown by presenting a 
show on May 13, part of which was a vivid and 
realistic picture of the night life of gas work with 
the British. 1 

The most striking celebration of our new unity 
as a regiment was given in a review of The Thirti- 
eth held by Colonel Fries on May 3 at the Gas 
Experimental Field — a day when hardly a man 
could help feeling, with something of a thrill, 
what the past seven months had seen achieved 

* During this period the regiment "adopted" and subscribed 
for the support of six French "war orphans." 



36 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

and what the next seven might hold in store. 
From then on a schedule of steady training was 
set in operation. For each battalion close-order 
drill continued ; but for A and B it was enlivened 
by bayonet work and rifle practice at a near-by 
range, and for C and D by instruction for N.C.O.'s, 
and later for all the men, in Stokes mortars and 
projectors. Meantime, in the Regimental and 
Battalion Headquarters, the task was being 
planned and pressed of getting The Thirtieth 
ready for front-line warfare — preparing and 
equipping the dump at Leonval, negotiating with 
division commanders, and rearranging our per- 
sonnel. The First Replacement Company^ — 
drawn from the Engineer Replacement Camp at 
Angers — had already begun its existence (under 
Captain Lowenberg) at the neighboring village 
of Choignes. Transfers from the company filled 
out the ranks of Companies A and B. Numerous 
transfers of officers, too, were effected, including 
the assignment of Captain Watson to the com- 
mand of the First Battalion and of Major Robbe 
to the command of the "Provisional." By May 
21 preparations, both at the post and at the 
front, were so far completed that the First Bat- 
talion received orders to move; and the following 
day the battalion set out in trucks for the Toul 

^ Authorized March 26 and organized April 25. 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 37 

sector of the American front. The Thirtieth was 
now ready for independent offensive action. 

After the departure of the elder unit, the " Pro- 
visional" resumed its solitary career, and the 
work of instruction went on. That same night the 
first class in Stokes mortars finished its course by 
holding what one member termed "Commence- 
ment Exercises" in the form of a successful 
*^show," giving the men their first experience of 
the tense moments as "zero" hour approaches. 
A week later a similar graduation "show" of 
Stokes mortars took place, marked by one famous 
casualty more convincing to Dr. McKee than to 
the surgeons of the Base Hospital. Training in 
projectors, too, had already begun, first for 
classes of N.C.O.'s, and later for all the privates. 
After a small projector "show" by the former, a 
much larger one was staged on the night of June 6, 
when The Thirtieth gave its first public exhibi- 
tion of projectors and mortars in action before an 
audience which included several generals and 
many other distinguished guests from General 
Headquarters. 

During this same week the work of the battalion 
and the life of the village were enlivened by the 
arrival of Regimental Headquarters,^ by the ap- 

^ Previously located at Chaumont and at the Gas Service 
Experimental Field. 



38 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

pearance of three British officers from the Special 
Brigade, R.E.^ to act as advisers and observers, 
and by the transfer from Choignes to La Ville- 
aux-Bois of the First Replacement Company, 
thenceforward known as Company Q. 

Compensation for continual learning, digging, 
and carrying came partly in the form of increasing 
interest in new problems, made real by the pros- 
pect of action close ahead, and partly in the form 
of many outside diversions. Some pursued the 
hunting of wild boar — which always resulted in 
more hunting than boar; others entrapped foxes 
or hedgehogs who assisted the regiment as mas- 
cots by leading dejected lives at the end of a 
chain. The more conventional were content with 
continual ball games and with the admirable con- 
certs and lectures offered by the Y.M.C.A., while 
the more enterprising (chiefly a group of talent 
in Company D) produced a minstrel show at 
which (as the home paper would say) "a good 
time was had by all." The good time of the offi- 
cers was perhaps due less to their figuring in the 
actors' jokes than to the presence at the show 
and at a later supper and dance of the "telephone 
girls" from G.H.Q. 

By the middle of June Companies C and D had 

* Captain D. M. Wilson, M Special Company, R.E. 
Captain J. T. McNamee, No. 2, Special Company, R.E. 
Captain N. L. Roberts, No. 2, Special Company, R.E. 



OVERSEAS TRAINING 39 

been brought to full strength through drafts upon 
Company Q, and the final instruction in cylinder 
operations had begun. On June 26 a regimental 
order constituted Companies B and D as the First 
Battalion with Major Watson in command, and 
Companies A and C as the Provisional Battalion 
with Major Crawford in command. Captain Wood 
had already replaced Captain Sibert in command 
of Company C. To begin active work with Com- 
pany A, Company C left La Ville-aux-Bois on 
June 22 for the camp at Lagney; and on July 2 
Company D set out to join Company B in the 
lively sector behind Ch§.teau-Thierry. The period 
of overseas training was at length concluded, and 
a second fighting battalion was ready to take the 
field. 



CHAPTER IV 

THE FIRST ACTIONS 

Preceding the arrival of the First Battalion by 
a week, Captain Watson, accompanied by his 
Engineer Officer, Lieutenant Hall, had reached 
Lagney on May 14, to begin arrangements for the 
location of the companies and their future opera- 
tions. An effort to billet the men permanently at 
Lagney having failed, far better quarters for them 
were secured in a group of Adrian barracks situ- 
ated at the edge of the Bois de Lagney, three 
quarters of a mile from the village. Upon their 
arrival on May 22, they were installed there, and 
proceeded to make that particular "neck of the 
woods" such a model camp that it was later 
awarded a prize offered by the Y.M.C.A. for the 
best camp in the divisional area. So desirable a 
location, secluded enough to be almost secret, was 
defended for the sole use of The Thirtieth only 
by the watchful energy of Battalion Headquarters 
and the kind assistance of the French Corps 
Commander. 

Both before and after the arrival of the bat- 
talion, Captain Watson and his staff were engaged 
in the difficult pioneering required to put The 



THE FIRST ACTIONS 41 

Thirtieth on the map. To combine pubhcity and 
secrecy, dignity and vim, diplomacy and "brass," 
is no easy task ; but it is an achievement recorded 
to the credit of the versatile captain and his adroit 
assistants. To be the first and only gas regiment 
in the American Army may be an honor; but to 
be thrust suddenly into a front unaccustomed to 
gas warfare, and to cooperate with authorities 
unfamiliar with its operations, is an honor tem- 
pered with trials of its own. The work of initiat- 
ing, planning, and coordinating required watchful 
persistence, and at times even called for the art of 
respectfully educating one's superiors. The task, 
however, was less difficult than it might have 
been, owing to the cordial cooperation of Major- 
General Edwards, of the Twenty-sixth Division. 
Invaluable assistance, too, as well as timely pres- 
tige, accrued to the regiment as a result of the 
active interest in our work of General Passaga, 
of the Thirty-second French Corps. Two days 
after the arrival of the battalion. General Passaga 
sent his aide. Captain ChSne, to interview Cap- 
tain Watson and to investigate the status and 
prospects of The Thirtieth. Thenceforward his 
friendly help continued to further our progress, 
and to put at our disposal maps and meteoro- 
logical and "intelligence" data obtainable from 
no other source. 



42 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Meanwhile, from May 22 until June 6, the men 
of the two companies were busy refitting and im- 
proving their new property and assisting Lieuten- 
ant Miller, in charge of the "Dump,**^ in the 
process of unloading and storing materials and 
ammunition. In addition to several successful 
ball games with the Military Police at Menil-la- 
Tour, the first week of our stay was made memo- 
rable by the appearance of Elsie Janis at an open- 
air performance in the village of Lagney, where 
most of the battalion seized the opportunity to 
enjoy her resourceful grace as an entertainer. She 
was subsequently the guest of honor at our head- 
quarters mess. 

At the close of the month, on Memorial Day, 
an impressive service was held to commemorate 
those members of the battalion who had been 
killed in action or died of wounds on the British 
front. That same afternoon a series of athletic 
contests took place with the loist Ammunition 
Train in which, despite the loss of other events, 
The Thirtieth won two races, a boxing bout, and 
(instantaneously) a tug-of-war. 

On June 6, official sanction having been secured 
and reconnaissance conducted, operation orders 
were issued. These called for two projector at- 

* Situated about two and one half miles from Lagney at 
IA>nval. 





LIVENS PROJECTORS 



LIEUTENANT FLEMING 




PROJECTOR DISCHARGE AT NIGHT 



THE FIRST ACTIONS 43 

tacks, one to be made by Company A in the 
American sector occupied by the Twenty-sixth 
Division, and one by Company B in the French 
sector occupied by the Sixty-fifth Division. Since 
the latter was executed first, its preparation may 
first be considered. 

The general target for B Company was to be 
the German camps in the neighborhood of Ferme 
Ste. Marie in the Foret des Vencheres,^ more par- 
ticularly the targets M and N, which included a 
battalion headquarters, two companies of Land- 
wehr troops and one company of Minenwerfers. 
The emplacement area was a narrow strip running 
southwest from the ruined hamlet of Fey-en- 
Haye, about a kilometer from the nearest target. 
Here 1000 projectors were to be installed, partly 
just behind the support trenches, partly in the 
trenches themselves. 

Since the scene of B's activities was about 
fourteen miles from Lagney, it was necessary to 
secure forward billets. These were provided (by 
order of General Passaga) in the neighborhood 
of the French Battalion Headquarters known as 
"Belgrade" — a series of huts and dugouts along 
one side of a wooded ravine about a mile from the 
emplacement area. Along the opposite side of this 
little valley ran a light railway which terminated 

* Some eight or ten miles west of Pont-4-Mousson. 



44 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

some 770 yards from the nearest point for exca- 
vation. On June 6, one officer and 63 men were 
transported to Belgrade accompanied by 125 pro- 
jectors and much other material. Two days later 
141 more men had been billeted, and munitions 
continued to arrive as needed. For the next week 
the work of carrying and digging proceeded stead- 
ily. The "carry" was unusually difficult, measur- 
ing 1 1 00 yards in cars to the railhead and 770 
yards from there on. The labors of our men, how- 
ever, were lightened in very welcome fashion by 
the nightly assistance of 100 French Senegalese 
troops, detailed to act as carriers. These stalwart 
negroes from West Africa were no fonder of work 
than the rest of mankind ; but their numbers guar- 
anteed their usefulness, and their cheerful ability 
to carry projectors on top of their heads never 
failed to excite American admiration. Some carry- 
ing, and even digging, was done by daylight, but 
most of it was carried out between 9 p.m. and 2 
A.M., for the short June nights prevented early 
arrival or late departure. During these hours the 
French provided covering parties in the trenches 
ahead of us. 

Our sector being located on the most peaceful 
of all "peace-time" fronts, we were subjected to 
no casualties and almost no excitement. The only 
continuous form of interest was the Victrola. 



THE FIRST ACTIONS 45 

Intermittent machine-gunning at night, of a mild 
type, occasional shelling over our heads toward 
battery targets behind us, and still more rarely, 
the bursting of "Archies" above us, in quest of 
elusive aeroplanes — these were the only signs 
of war. The men's work was never hampered by 
attack, nor did shells ever burst nearer than 500 
yards to the billets. 

By the morning of June 16 all the projectors 
had been installed and loaded with bombs, and 
attention began at once to be riveted upon the 
weather. The next day interest in the coming ac- 
tion was heightened by the appearance of orders 
for the use of two Stokes mortars to assist a French 
raid by simulating a gas attack with light smoke 
bombs. This miniature bombardment was put in 
charge of Lieutenants Paine and Hanlon, and 
plans and reconnaissances were promptly made. 

During the progress of B's work, similar prepa- 
rations were being carried out by A Company. 
Their plans called for a "show" of 900 projectors, 
500 to be located in the northeast corner of the 
Bois de Jury (Position i) and 400 in the open on 
the reverse slope of a low hill about two thirds of 
a kilometer southeast of the wood (Position 2). 
The guns in these emplacements covered two 
main targets in or near the Bois de Mt. Mare. 
The secluded situation of the former permitted 



46 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

digging by day; but upon the latter only night 
work was feasible. Forward billets were not used; 
and daily or nightly transportation by trucks was 
the rule. For work in the wood position the men 
would arrive early in the morning at Bern6court, 
the nearest village, and march from there in 
couples, at long intervals, to the woods, returning 
in the afternoon to Lagney. For the smaller em- 
placement, however, nightly arrival and depar- 
ture before dawn constituted the schedule. Both 
covering and carrying parties were furnished 
by troops of the Twenty-sixth Division — a plan 
which did not prevent our men from having much 
carrying to do especially over the long haul from 
the forward dump to Position i. Largely owing 
to the presence of American troops in this sector, 
the general situation was somewhat tenser and 
more active than upon the other sector. Only 
once, however, was enemy activity sufficient to 
disturb our work or cause us casualties. On the 
night of June lo-ii shelling directed on the road 
leading to Position 2 resulted in the wounding of 
Sergeant First Class Chaffin and in the temporary 
disabling of one truck. 

By June 13, all guns and bombs were in, and 
the next five days were occupied chiefly in testing, 
inspecting, and waiting for some wind that should 
not escape the limits of "southwest through south 




OPERATIONS B 

(SOthENGRS.) 1st GAS 

June 19, and, Aug. 3, 



200 



400 



60< 



200 400 600 

LEGEND 
Emplacement 



Target 

Fake Projector Flash 

Smoke Cloud 



THE FIRST ACTIONS 47 

to southeast." Finally, on the afternoon of June 
18, the wind allowed the dispatch to the waiting 
companies of the orders announcing "J" day as 
June 18 and "H" hour as 22.30 o'clock for Com- 
pany B, and "D" day as June 19 and "H" hour 
as 2.30 for Company A. The necessary private 
buzzerphone circuits and through telephone con- 
nections were installed at both positions by the 
French and American authorities, and the First 
Battalion stood ready for action. 

B Company was unable to begin the work of 
final preparation until almost 9.30 p.m., for until 
then darkness had hardly begun to gather. The 
last wiring and setting of exploders had, therefore, 
to be carried out in great haste; and the critical 
moment found a small proportion still incom- 
plete. It was a clear moonlight night with a south 
wind blowing at about six miles an hour — con- 
ditions ideal in every way. At the instant of ' ' zero " 
our batteries were exploded and at the same time 
the French artillery in our rear opened up. An 
elaborate programme of cooperation had been 
arranged; and during the next half hour some 
1300 shells (H.E. and shrapnel) were thrown on 
our targets by ten batteries of 75, 90, 95, and 120 
mm. guns. At "zero" began the work of the two 
Stokes mortars to the left of our position, where 
one section of the first platoon discharged 20 



48 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

rounds of light smoke bombs from a position in 
advance of the front-line trenches, and then 
executed a successful withdrawal. Under cover of 
this screen the French raiding party of 30 men 
advanced. Their careful plans, however, suffered 
an early check from the discovery that the Ger- 
man front-line trenches were ten feet deep and 
choked with barbed wire — an obstacle impass- 
able in the time assigned. 

At twelve minutes past "zero" the enemy be- 
gan a somewhat fumbling retaliation hardly no- 
ticeable in the midst of the far greater activity 
on our side. Some high explosive shells fell 100 
yards short of our area. It was fully half an hour 
later when he threw gas shells around and behind 
our position. By that time, however, nearly all 
of our men had retired without accident to the 
billets; and those who remained for camouflage 
work continued, with respirators on, until every- 
thing was secure. 

By the time the slight retaliation against B 
Company's position had died down, the hour for 
A Company's action was approaching. Colonel 
Atkisson and Major Watson^ and his staff had 
hurried over to be present at the second act of 
the evening, with headquarters near Bernecourt, 
where the Major, in his role of "Butterfly," con- 
* Commissioned July 17. 



THE FIRST ACTIONS 49 

tinued, up to the last moment, to receive confi- 
dential messages and wind readings from ' ' Craw- 
fish." Promptly at 2.30 the projectors in Position 
2 were exploded, and were followed immediately 
by those in Position i . On the minute, too, began 
the artillery cooperation long since planned — an 
attack lasting for an hour and conducted by some 
ten batteries of light artillery, supplemented by 
twelve pieces of heavy. 

At 3.14 there ensued a fierce retaliation by the 
hostile artillery, and at the same moment a party 
of about 60 Boches attempted to raid the Bois de 
Remieres.^ Almost immediately a barrage, called 
for by the American infantry, was laid by our 
light artillery in front of both Remleres and Jury 
Woods, while the heavy artillery continued its 
programme. The raiding party, which Included pi- 
oneers and flammenwerfer bearers, was promptly 
driven out by the counter attack of an American 
platoon, with losses of at least three killed. Mean- 
time, despite conditions of growing difficulty, our 
men had been withdrawn without casualties, and 
safely made the trip home to Lagney through 
back areas now highly unquiet. 

The German retaliation, which continued until 
10 o'clock, included some 2200 shells fired upon 
the Bois de Jury, adjacent sectors, and the back 

* The wood next to Bois de Jury. 



50 ^ THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

areas as far as Boucq. The dozen heavy shells 
which exploded in the latter village caused Divi- 
. sion Headquarters to move, and gave point to 
the conviction expressed by General Edwards 
that the severity of the retaliation was a genuine 
indication of the damage which we had done the 
enemy. These seven hours of Boche activity, how- 
ever (two of them intense), resulted not only in 
no casualties in The Thirtieth, but in losses, 
throughout the whole area involved, which num- 
bered no more than four men killed and twenty- 
eight wounded. Our main achievement had been 
twofold, — first, to have executed what a report 
of Division Headquarters describes as "a suc- 
cessful and severe projector attack," and second, 
to have demolished in advance an enemy raid. 
This raid, as planned, required the approach of 
pioneers at 2.30 for wire cutting, etc., and the 
subsequent advance of two "storm battalions." 
At the critical hour, however, their home was in- 
vaded by our phosgene. It was only their delayed 
advance party which later was repulsed, for one 
among the number of this feeble remnant stated, 
after capture, that the German attack was from 
the outset met with a withering fire from all sides. 
Luck had also furnished B Company with an 
equally unexpected target, of which we learned 
with gratitude the next day, when there came 



THE FIRST ACTIONS 51 

official announcement from the French that the 
attack from Fey-en- Haye had caught the Boche 
while he was engaged in the process of a divisional 
rehef . ^ 

June 19 was a cheerful day for The Thirtieth. 
The events of the night — two actions upon ad- 
mirable targets without the loss of a man — had 
justified the conviction of Major Watson and 
many of his subordinates that more could be done 
to cripple the enemy and to advance the reputa- 
tion of The Thirtieth by attempting to execute 
two attacks, each slightly hampered by lack of 
full supplies, than by one "show" more amply 
provided for. It had proved impossible to install 
more than 751 projectors in B's position. And on 
the night of the attack only 738 out of 900 were 
fired by A Company and about 600 by B. These 
failures were caused by the lack of time in the 
case of B Company and by the defects of the 
American exploders in the case of both companies. 
But the net results, despite inevitable defects, 
were both more deadly to the enemy and more im- 
pressive to our friends than a more model single 
"show" could possibly have been. 

* The following information was obtained July 20: 
"The examination of prisoners captured near Fey-en-Haye 
about July 18-19, gave the information that the gas attack of 
June 18 caused at least 40 casualties in the 150th Landwehr 
Regiment. Of these 10 were deaths." 



52 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Here again, as earlier with the British, The 
Thirtieth was relieved of the unwelcome task of 
praising itself. General Passaga wrote to Major 
Watson as follows: 

G.Hq. June 20th, 1918 
VIII° Armee 
32° Corps dArmee 
Etat-Major 
3° Bureau 

General Order No. 132 
The General commanding the 32nd Army Corps 
congratulates the detachment of the 30th American 
Engineers, for having just carried out two large bom- 
bardments by projectors (2,000 bombs) in the most 
successful manner. 

Under the expert and tenacious direction of its 
leader. Major Watson, despite the difficult conditions 
of the positions and the activity of the enemy observa- 
tion, these operations have been carried out by this 
detachment in the minimum of time, with the greatest 
prudence and the maximum chances of success. 

Signed: Passaga 



And from General Edwards came the following : 

Headquarters, Twenty-sixth Division American 
Expeditionary Forces 

France, June 19, 1918 
From: Chief of Staff . 
To: Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 30th 

Engineers. 
Subject: Projector attack, night of the^iSth, 19th, 

June, 1918. 



THE FIRST ACTIONS 53 

1. The Commanding General has directed me to 
offer his congratulation to you on the success of the 
projector attack which you made on the sector of this 
division on the night of June i8th, 19th, 1918. 

2. The attack was carried out with precision which 
is due to the untiring efforts of yourself and the officers 
and men under your command. 

3. That this attack has been a success is evidenced 
by the fact of the strong retaliatory artillery fire which 
the enemy has kept up from shortly after the attack 
until late in the day. 

Signed: Duncan K. Major, Jr. 

Chief of Staff 



On June 19, General Passaga recommended 
Major Watson both for the Cross of the Legion 
of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with palm leaf. 
Recommendations, furthermore, were requested 
for other officers and enlisted men, as a result of 
which 26 Croix de Guerre were bestowed upon 
members of the battalion staff and of Company 

Thus generously did the French reward the 

^ As follows: Major G. L. Watson, Battalion Commander, and 
First Lieutenant J. P. Webster, M.C., and Second Lieutenant 
H. E. Hall, both of Battalion Staff, and Captain J. B. Carlock, 
First Lieutenants Ben Perris, T. Beddall, A. W. Paine, Second 
Lieutenant J. T. Hanlon, First Sergeant F. E. Blair, Sergeants 
F. L. Allen, C. J. Connors, F. W. Smith, Corporals F. L. Faktor, 
J. L. McGuire, W. L. Stevens, P. C. Smith, Wagoner J. Justice, 
Privates First Class W. W. Young, L. Regan, P. W. Soderquist, 
W. F. Evans, J. W. Estabrook, S. Kunst, W. F. Quinn, E. E.^ 
Welton, and T. D. Webster, all of Company B. 



54 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

success of our first attack. ^ The decorations (given 
frankly for a job well done and not for marked 
valor) had been well earned ; and if they were all 
confined to one company, that company will be 
the first to insist that only the accident of envi- 
ronment withheld like honors from the officers 
and men of Company A, whose admirable work had 
been carried out under conditions quite as trying. 

1 Concerning the attack, the Paris edition of the New York 
Herald announced in headlines: 

AMERICANS DELUGE GERMANS , 
.WITH GAS AND HEAVY SHELLS ) 

Projectors Belch Poison Clouds ^ 

Far Into Enemy's Rear in the 

Toul Sector 

Later, in its account of the awards, the same paper printed a 
column headed: 

26 AMERICANS WIN HONOR FOR ' 
MEETING GAS WITH GAS 

Stood for two Hours Amid 
Fumes Thrown by Germans 



CHAPTER V 

THE FIRST BATTALION IN 
THE CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 

By July 3, the First Battalion had reached the 
famous sector behind Chateau-Thierry. Battal- 
ion Headquarters, after ten days at Saacy, was 
moved to La Fertd-sous-Jouarre ; Company B 
was billeted at Montmenard, and Company D, 
some 1500 yards distant at Rougeville. The near- 
est front line, held at first by the Second and later 
by the Twenty-sixth Division, was about nine 
miles away. We had no sooner been lodged in this 
busy neighborhood than Battalion Headquarters 
opened its campaign to secure us a field for action. 
Reconnaissances by the staff and by the company 
commanders and project reports based on their 
results were followed by numerous interviews 
with the corps and division authorities. The usual 
activities of information, persuasion, education, 
exhortation, and "watchful waiting" were heart- 
ily pursued at every opportunity and in every 
combination. Partly, however, because of the un- 
stable and informal condition of the front, partly 
because the probability of both a German offen- 
sive and an Allied counter-offensive was in the 



56 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

air, and partly because plans for gas warfare 
seemed to many to be novel and even trivial, no 
practical opening was given us; and two weeks 
slipped by with our powers regretfully unused. 

There was little to be done to fill the time. The 
men, who naturally chafed at the lack of op- 
portunities for which they had so long and so 
carefully been trained, had to occupy them- 
selves with cleaning up the villages, undergoing 
gas-mask drills, playing games, taking "hikes," 
bathing in the Marne, and occasionally digging 
projectors into the back orchard and solemnly ex- 
huming them again. To such inoffensive duties 
there were added weekly chances to visit La 
Ferte, or the even less interesting Saacy; and for 
the officers the livelier opportunities of a trip now 
and then to Paris. That others were at war close 
by, was brought home to us by much varied aerial 
activity, by shelling once in a while very near to 
B Company's village, and by an air raid on La 
Fert6, where the railroad station was totally 
ruined by bombs. 

On July 15 events took a new turn, and the 
plot thickened. Early that morning, after several 
hours of intense bombardment clearly audible in 
our villages, the Germans began a drive which 
they planned to make their greatest and perhaps 
their last. Assaulting heavily at many points be- 



La.Fere^ 



MJ'" 



CHATEAU THIERRY 

AND 

VESLE SECTORS 



Statute Miles 



Kilometres 



Laon 



"<••.* 



Sofssons 



Ail 



kR^ 



J> € 



?N#*ci 



"V =;».•■ ■•* 



'^N»^ X 'Courlandon*% 



Bazoch? 
St.Thibadt 



^^^^^ 






Ourcq 



Chery, ^(~#"»vj 
AT-'le ^onsart*! , 
^;;. _^ 'j%MaCeuil-en,-Doie 

~*Fere-cn-Tarden6is * ' '' ' 



forest of \ 
Freshes • 



Epaux« /»Bezu St.GermainoV/ ^k 

^Belleay.^-;—^-^ f '•ipieds .i'iV^":''^-'*:^' 
• Tbfcy 
'-.Lucy ^^^ Bourescl^es .. 



J^ai 



Coupru 
-Ferte-sous-Jouarre 



[Chateau 
Thierry 



^ 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 57 

tween Chateau-Thierry and Rheims, they suc- 
ceeded in crossing the Marne in several places; 
and the menace to Paris grew temporarily greater 
than ever. The following day Battalion Head- 
quarters was elated by orders, long awaited, 
which gave clearance to both companies to under- 
take two projector attacks, from an emplacement 
behind Vaux and from two positions near the 
edge of Belleau Wood, close to Belleau Village. 
These chances had long been sought, and the lat- 
ter ofTered especially sure prospects of success. 
Final preparations immediately began, and we 
seemed on the verge of action. In little more than 
twenty-four hours, however, our "show" was 
"washed out," for the great Franco- American 
counter-ofTensive had begun, and the hope of 
finding any stationary Boches had vanished. Our 
First Corps was straining every nerve to make 
the push a rapid success; and, when every ounce 
of assistance had become welcome and even neces- 
sary, all that we had was at the disposal of the 
staff. Our trucks were turned over to haul am- 
munition,^ and on the evening of July 18 our men 
were ordered toward the rapidly receding front. 

At I A.M., after a night march of about six 
miles, the two companies reached La Sablon- 

* Concerning which Colonel Bunnell, of the loist Engineers, 
later wrote in cordial appreciation to the Corps Engineer. 



58 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

ni^re, near the Paris-Metz road. There they were 
billeted and remained for twenty-four hours, 
awaiting orders. Before dawn the next day B 
Company left for another six-mile march to La 
Croisette Farm where the men were quartered in 
shallow dugouts in the woods. Company D later 
marched to the village of Champillon. During the 
day that these movements were executed the 
Twenty-sixth American Division attacked along 
their front, advancing to such a depth that the 
artillery had soon to move far beyond the old 
front line. 

Our first role in this great forward movement 
consisted in the repairing of roads and the burial 
of the dead — necessary tasks for which no other 
troops were then available. July 21 both com- 
panies spent in the area between Ch§,teau-Thierry 
and Torcy, filling shell-holes in the road. The 
humdrum character of the work was partly 
atoned for by the immense interest of the terri- 
tory; for much of the ground had been No Man's 
Land the day before, and everywhere lay relics, 
grim and otherwise, of two months' fierce fighting. 
In every direction was scattered material enough 
to satisfy even the instinctive American thirst 
for souvenirs. This labor of burial and of repair 
continued for a full week, during which both com- 
panies covered the neighborhood marked by such 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 59 

points as Vaux, Etrepilly, Lucy, Torcy, and 
Bouresches. Some grumbling was inevitable 
when the men stopped to consider that highly 
trained specialists were being used for work that 
further to the rear was normally assigned to 
Boche prisoners or Chinese laborers. Rain and 
mud and the slight shelter afforded by B Com- 
pany's holes in the ground helped to make the 
task less inspiring than ever; and no relief seemed 
in sight. Yet, despite discouragement for the 
moment, the work was done, and well done — a 
record to be read in favorable reports by the 
Corps Engineer to Corps Headquarters, and in 
praise given by Brigadier-General Craig, Chief 
of Staff of the First Corps. The General stated 
that the excellent results we had achieved were 
highly appreciated by all. General Liggett, too, 
the Corps Commander, pointed out that our work 
had been of the first importance, since it served to 
maintain practically the entire line of communi- 
cation upon which the advancing divisions were 
dependent. On July 26 the General relieved the 
battalion from duty with the Corps Engineer, 
though two days more were later spent in com- 
pleting the repair of valuable roads as far forward 
as Epieds. 

To keep pace with these engineer duties, as 
well as to prepare for our true work when the 



6o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

need should arise, both companies and Battalion 
Headquarters moved on July 27 to Epaux-Bezu. 
The original billets at Montmenard and Rouge- 
ville were evacuated and the dump gradually 
moved forward to Epaux-Bezu. This town, in a 
little valley formed by a tributary of the Ourcq, 
had been in German hands not many days be- 
fore, and stood empty of all inhabitants, though 
choked with the aftermath of war and the ensu- 
ing swarms of flies. On the whole, however, the 
men's memory of the place is one of luxury, for 
the exercise of a little energy resulted in real beds 
for all and for many even mirrors and bureaus. 

During the first ten days of the American offen- 
sive the official opinion prevailed that the front 
was too fluid, the general movement too rapid, to 
permit gas warfare. Every effort was made by 
Major Watson and his staff to make our services 
available, and to explain that our repertoire in- 
cluded more than heavy projector attacks. The 
experience and advice of General Edwards, too, 
went to fortify our pleas. We were not fitly used, 
however, until Colonel Atkisson had made clear 
to the Corps Staff how ready our companies were 
to use that neglected method of helping the in- 
fantry which could be furnished by Stokes mortar 
smoke bombs and thermite. Our insistent volun- 
teering happened to coincide with the realization 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 61 

of growing losses due to machine-gun opposition. 
At length the promise came that our battalion 
would be used as soon as possible; and a liaison 
officer, with dispatch riders, was promptly ap- 
pointed for duty with Corps Headquarters, to aid 
us in taking advantage of the first opportunity. 
This time we had not long to wait, for on July 29 
notification came to prepare for a "show"; and 
Captains Berlin and McNamee went forward to 
reconnoiter a position in the Bois de Colas, where 
heavy shelling was in progress, and to select a 
dump site which they located in the northern 
part of the Foret de F^re. 

Early on the morning of the 30th, detachments 
from B and D Companies transported by trucks 
to this dump the Stokes mortars and ammunition 
needed for the attack already planned. The mor- 
tar platoons in each company were brought to 
full strength and each divided into two sections, 
one resting alternately with the other, and both 
ready to move on an hour's notice. The operation 
was to be in charge of Lieutenant Hanlon, with 
Captain McNamee attached. Early in the after- 
noon the gun-crews (32 men from B and 8 from 
D with Lieutenant Favre) with additional men 
to prepare the ammunition, left for the forward 
dump where they worked till about 9 p.m. At that 
hour the combat wagons, accompanied by the 



62 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

gun-crews, moved out, carrying the material (8 
mortars with 240 bombs and charges) from the 
forest dump forward to Villers-sur-Fere. The 
carrying party, composed of 20 men from B and 
60 from D under Lieutenant Swarts, had left 
Epaux-Bezu at dusk, but did not reach Villers 
until after 10 p.m. Further delay ensued while 
assurance was sought and found that Division 
Headquarters had definitely decided upon a 
Stokes mortar attack early the following morn- 
ing. By this time it was nearly 12 o'clock. Villers- 
sur-Fere was subject to continual shell-fire, and 
some mustard gas infested the vicinity. The night 
was dark and the route unfamiliar. Men and ma- 
terial would both have been scattered and lost if 
they had advanced in small groups at wide inter- 
vals ; so the risk was necessarily taken of forming 
one long line. And at midnight the carrying began. 
Two letters from men have so vividly described 
that carry, that their words here follow: "Our 
own guns," writes Sergeant Williams of Com- 
pany D, "were firing over our heads. We heard 
the sputter of machine-guns distinctly, and there 
came an occasional distant whine of an enemy 
shell. Our loads were heavy, but all went well un- 
til a terrible thunderous crash almost in our line. 
There was a rain of rocks, shell fragments, and 
clay ringing on steel helmets. We had had our 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 63 

first experience in shell-fire. There was a nervous 
laugh, a muttered curse, a hoarse command, and 
we stumbled on. No one was hurt, although I 
think each one of us pinched ourselves to make 
sure that we still lived. A few yards and another 
shell burst near us, then a third and fourth. Now 
we turned, and the shells were singing harmlessly 
o^.er our heads, and we breathed more freely, 
when there came a crash just above our heads, 
then another. Four men went down, not to rise 
again. Two were instantly killed, the others died 
before they could be taken to the dressing station. 
One of these was Lieutenant Hanlon of B Com- 
pany. The others were all B Company men. We 
had had our first experience of fallen comrades. 
After a terrible length of time we reached the gun 
position, then started back to our dump, which 
we reached in safety. We had had our baptism of 
fire." 

We can read the same story with a little fuller 
detail, in the words of Private First Class Willis 
B. Wagener of Company B: "The route led 
through town and down into a marshy patch of 
thin woods. The line had just gotten well down 
into the low ground when German shells began 
falling in the wood, and one hit within 15 or 20 
feet of the column, sending a blast of clods and 
earth over the men near by. A sergeant runs along 



64 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

to know whether any one is hurt. Some are 
slightly dazed, but fate has been kind, and the 
column moves on again. Shells begin to fall 
thickly now, and the men listen for them, to be 
prepared to duck in case they should fall close by. 
Several shells break near and pieces whiz through 
the column, miraculously missing the men, and 
bury themselves in trees beyond. The way grows 
muddier and slippery, and the loads are becoming 
heavier all the time. We turn and cross a small 
bridge. One or two of the men slip in the mud and 
fall with their loads. On we go and make another 
turn, this time coming up alongside of a low bank 
into which a company of infantrymen are dug in 
small burrows. 'Are you going to relieve us?' one 
of them asks, and we reply in the negative. We 
pass along down the bank and the shells fall close 
again. One sends another shower of clods over 
the men near, and one man is shell-shocked and 
crawls off to the side. On we go, and turn another 
corner into a marshy meadow. We slop along in 
this up to our ankles in mud and water, and then 
lie down along a low bank for a few seconds' rest. 
'Here's a man hurt,' some one calls, and the 
stretcher men run up. One of the men (we find out 
later that he is Merkel) has an ugly shrapnel 
wound in the head. A volunteer is asked for the 
stretcher and several respond. Webb of D Com- 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 65 

pany is selected, and Merkel is carried away while 
the rest of us prepare to move on. The shells are 
falling to our rear now, and we pass along another 
bank where more infantry are dug in. We clear 
the bank and follow along a line of willow trees. A 
small patch of woods appears ahead, and the car- 
rying party lies down just inside of it while a de- 
cision is made as to where the ammunition is to 
be placed. While we lie there machine-gun bullets 
whistle from the hill to one side of us and hit 
among the trees behind and beyond us. Then the 
order comes to pick up our loads, and we pass into 
the wood and are relieved of them. A short rest in 
the woods, which we discover covers a sand bank 
about 40 feet high. Evidently this is to be the posi- 
tion. Then the carrying party is counted, and we 
learn that Privates Guilefuss and Panuska have 
been killed on the road up, and Lieutenant Han- 
Ion mortally wounded. They were on the extreme 
end of the column as we came up, and a shell 
made almost a direct hit on them. 

**As the carrying party went out they passed 
Panuska and Guilefuss, lying partly facing each 
other and almost half turned over on their backs. 
We could not stop, however, for time was pre- 
cious, and though the shelling had stopped, there 
was no telling when it might begin again. The 
return to the trucks was made safely, and as 



66 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

we loaded on, we learned that Merkel and Lieu- 
tenant Hanlon were dead. It was a shaken and 
sorrowing crowd that left for the home billets 
shortly afterwards just as dawn was breaking. 
But the determination to see the enemy van- 
quished was stronger than ever. And we knew 
what war was." 

These accounts at first hand make the story 
almost complete; but they naturally fail to em- 
phasize enough the magnificent conduct of the 
men under the severest conditions. To their be- 
havior Captain McNamee,^ our British friend 
attached to the party, has been eager to bear 
testimony. He has stated that the work of the de- 
tachment was quite the most wonderful exhibi- 
tion of carrying under difficulties that he had ever 
seen. The shelling to which they were subjected 
(mainly from heavy artillery) was as extreme as 
he had ever encountered on the British front; the 
carry was two miles long in the pitch darkness 
over a muddy and unfamiliar path ; a majority of 
the men had never been really under fire before; 
and many of them carried as much as a hundred 
pounds of weight. Yet, from beginning to end, 
every man kept in line, no one complained or 
shirked ; and when, at the close, men and material 

^ For his gallantry In action Captain McNamee was later 
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. See Appendix E. 




LIEUTENANT JOSEPH T. HAXLON 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 67 

were counted, not a man was missing save the 
killed, nor a single load abandoned save those 
that had been borne by the fallen. Of that record 
the regiment is proud. 

For what we had achieved the price was not 
easy to pay. Privates Guilefuss, Panuska, and 
Merkel were mourned as the first men we had lost 
since The Thirtieth had begun its independent 
career. And the death of Joe Hanlon was a loss 
that hurt keenly.^ At first in Company A and then 
in B, he had won in two companies a greater de- 
votion and affection than were accorded to any 
other officer — an afTection which spread beyond 
his own unit to the whole regiment. Men, on 
every hand, were prompt to say and to write of 
how deeply they felt so sudden a loss. He won 
our friendship and admiration not only by his 
gayety and charm, but also by a life and a record 
that were transparently clean and straight. It has 
been good for us all to have known him, and in this 
regiment his name will always be held in honor. ^ 

' Hanlon was so severely wounded that he died on the way to 
the dressing-station. He was buried with full military honors in 
the cemetery at Chaumont, on August 2. Guilefuss and Panuska 
were buried two days later where they fell. 

* American Expeditionary Forces 

Headquarters, Services of Supply 
Office Chief of Chemical Warfare Service 

Augtist 30, 1918 
I. Hereafter the Experimental Field, Chemical Warfare Serv- 
ice, will be known as " Hanlon Field" Chemical Warfare Service, 



68 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

As a result of the indomitable carrying which 
brought us these casualties, our men had suc- 
ceeded in bringing up all the guns and ammuni- 
tion to a Battalion P.C.^ as near as was advis- 
able to the emplacement. After the reassembled 
party had been counted and allowed a short rest 
till almost 3 A.M., they made the journey safely 
back to Epaux-Bezu. 

Meanwhile, the attack which had been planned 
for the early morning was called off by orders 
given to the battalion with which we were working. 
The gun-crews, however, remained at their posts, 
awaiting later orders to operate. Throughout that 
day the whole neighborhood was continually 
shelled, but the crews, with Captain McNamee 

in honor of Lieutenant J. T. Hanlon, Company B, First Gas 
Regiment, who was killed in action July 30, 1918, near Villers- 
sur-Fere while engaged in conducting a carrying party to the site 
of a proposed Stokes mortar operation in support of an infantry 
attack when the Germans were being driven back from the Marne 
to the Vesle. 

2. Lieutenant Hanlon is the first officer of the Chemical War- 
fare Service to be killed in action. He was an officer of unusual 
promise, great ability, high ideals, every inch a soldier and one 
who was loved by all who knew him. In his death the Service 
suffered a serious loss, and as the Experimental Field typifies in 
its various activities the very soul of the Chemical Warfare Serv- 
ice, it is most fitting that it should bear the name of one who in 
his youthful life typified all that is good in the Service. 

By direction of Chief of Chemical Warfare Service. 

J. D. Law, 

Second Lieutenant Engineers, 

Acting Adjutant. 

1 Poste de Commandement or Headquarters. 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 69 

and Lieutenants Favre and Swarts in charge, 
stuck to their guns. Their water supply a spring 
out in the meadow, the approach to which could 
be swept by German machine-guns, without blan- 
kets and with only iron rations until the last day, 
the men lived there for three days, dug into the 
sand and constantly exposed to shell fire. In that 
time they executed four attacks. 

During this period of expectancy the company 
commanders kept in touch with the 83d Brigade 
on our left and the 84th on our right, while the 
battalion commander maintained liaison with the 
headquarters of both the Corps and the Forty- 
second Division. Orders came before noon for two 
operations, and final preparations were carried 
out. In the course of these, while carrying the 
material forward to the gun emplacements. Cor- 
poral Devereaux and Private First Class Evans of 
Company B were wounded, and later in the day 
Private First Class Purvis of D. Both operations 
were in connection with the tactical plan of the 
165th Infantry, part of whose sector we occupied. 
The first, which took place at 2 p.m., was directed 
against two enemy targets. At one of them, some 
three quarters of a kilometer distant, we shot 
about 60 thermite bombs to disperse assembling 
troops. At the other (the Bois Bruli and Ferme 
Meurcy) we fired 60 smoke and 20 thermite bombs 



70 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

by way of feigning an attack. The second opera- 
tion, carried out at 5.15 p.m., included 60 smoke 
and 40 thermite bombs, the former to furnish a 
screen for infantry patrols, the latter to disperse 
machine-gun nests. While no infantry advance 
accompanied our performance, both operations 
were reported successful by the commanding offi- 
cer of the First Battalion of the 165th. The Boches 
were intensely alarmed, rushed madly about in all 
directions, and incidentally evacuated their strong 
position at the Farm.^ 

Since our ammunition was now all expended, 
and further calls for action were expected at any 
moment, carrying of material was resumed that 
evening and continued the next. Otherwise Au- 
gust I passed without incident for us. On that day, 
however, the Fourth Division began gradually to 
relieve the Forty-second. 

Early on the following morning (August 2) there 
were executed two more attacks from the same 
position — both for the purpose of protecting the 
advancing infantry. The earlier at 4 A.M. included 
80 smoke and 40 thermite bombs, the later at 
8.45 A.M. 60 thermite and 40 smoke. These attacks 
were so far successful that the infantry were not 
subjected to machine-gun jEire while advancing 
behind our screen. Later in the day, with an en- 

^ As reported by both infantry and aviators. 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 71 

viable record of hardships endured and of four 
attacks well executed, the men were all sent back 
to billets in Epaux-Bezu.^ 

On August 3, the enemy, abandoning the line 
of the Ourcq, began his second long retreat, halt- 
ing this time at the Vesle. The American troops 
were therefore able to progress rapidly; and both 
our companies and Battalion Headquarters fol- 
lowed the advance. After a long evening's march, 
ending in darkness and rain, our men arrived at 
Villers-sur-Fere, and were billeted there. On that 
day, too. Captain McNamee, accompanied by 
Lieutenants Favre and Jabine and two sergeants, 
reconnoitered at least ten miles in advance of our 
first position ; but in spite of moving ahead of our 
infantry, they could find no Boches. The next day, 
to keep up with the procession, advance par- 
ties of Companies B and D moved forward again 
to Moreuil-en-Dole, there to prepare billets. The 
work of reconnaissance and of liaison with Di- 
vision and Regimental Headquarters continued, 
and fully organized Stokes mortar platoons stood 
ready for further action. It was only, however, 
after costly attempts to advance without smoke 
screens that the infantry consented to receive as- 
sistance. While this game of watchful waiting was 

* General Craig was subsequently very complimentary on 
what we had done. 



72 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

in progress, an order from Corps was sent to Divi- 
sion Headquarters relieving our companies from 
connection with any battalion in the line. This wel- 
come measure prevented the further need for our 
men to sit at the front and wait, sometimes for 
longer periods than the infantry units, and allowed 
us to carry out the policy of billeting our men in 
the rear and rushing them forward when they were 
needed. 

On the morning of August 5 reconnaissance was 
made by Captain McNamee and Lieutenants 
Stoepker, Hall, and Rideout as far as St. Thibaut, 
where a suitable emplacement was found. To bring 
the men nearer to this scene of action, Lieutenants 
H. C. Williams, Smiley, and Miller with 60 men 
from each company, moved forward in the after- 
noon to Chery Chartreuve and established billets 
there. The men encountered not only rain and 
mud and a volume of noise from our own neigh- 
boring artillery, but also heavy shelling from the 
enemy. In the course of this. Corporal Martin of 
D Company was killed while standing in the door- 
way of his billet. - 

In the evening Lieutenant Stoepker, with 20 
men and three wagons provided by the infantry, 
attempted to haul ammunition from the dump in 
the northeast edge of the Foret-en-Dole to the 
position at St. Thibaut. Bombardment of the town 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 73 

and its environs, meanwhile, continued heavily. 
Stimulated by this, and fortified by a conviction 
that the Germans had not yet finally evacuated 

St. Thibaut, a battalion of the Infantry had 

just retreated from the place. The warnings of one 
of its officers, added to the approach of daylight, 
spread dismay to the wagoners, whom neither 
threats nor persuasion could force nearer than 
800 yards to the village. At that point, therefore, 
the material had to be unloaded. Quite the oppo- 
site effect, however, was produced upon Lieuten- 
ant Rideout and his ten men who had been or- 
dered to proceed to St. Thibaut to unload the 
wagons. To St. Thibaut they proceeded, and unas- 
sisted, occupied and held the town until the fol- 
lowing noon. Our regiment, having already sup- 
plied burial details, road gangs, covering parties, 
and projector and mortar experts, was more than 
ready to furnish an advance patrol, and to supple- 
ment with a little valor the greater discretion of 

the Infantry. The imperturbed gallantry of 

that garrison of eleven is another incident that we 
recall with pride. 

During the course of the same day the majority 
of D Company moved to billets in Moreuil-en- 
Dole, where they were joined on the next day by 
Company B. Battalion Headquarters, meanwhile, 
had moved to a point near Seringes — a town 



74 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

where our main dump was in process of formation. 
The billets in Villers had been in unsanitary sur- 
roundings, and water had been both distant and 
scarce. The new quarters offered improved condi- 
tions, but none really wholesome were available in 
that distressed area. 

At 9.30 on the morning of August 6 the two 
Stokes mortar platoons set out from Ch4ry Char- 
treuve to the temporary advance dump which we 
had been forced to make 800 yards from St. Thi- 
baut. They had already succeeded in carrying 
some of this material to a cellar in the town, when 
they were welcomed by a heavy bombardment 
from our own artillery; for as a reward for holding 
the town we were probably mistaken for Boches. 
The men were immediately directed to take shel- 
ter; and to assist them and their load to safety, 
Sergeant Craig of B Company stood in the center 
of the road, during the shelling, to guide them to 
the right dugout. With some of the men and part of 
the ammunition. Captain Berlin and Lieutenants 
Stoepker and Riedout were in a wine-cellar, part of 
which was soon blown in by the explosion of a large 
caliber shell, which imprisoned the party for some 
time. A pause in the firing occurring, the men suc- 
ceeded in prying their way out ; but immediately 
afterward Lieutenant Stoepker had to be carried 
to the dressing station, suffering from shell shock. 




CHATEAU-THIERRY 




SUNKEN ROAD NEAR ST. THIBAUT 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 75 

This unexpected greeting from the rear resulted 
in a speedy decision to abandon the original ad- 
vance position and to set the guns in a sunken 
road to the southwest end of the village — an un- 
usually safe spot. Meantime a telephone mes- 
sage to Division Headquarters had called off the 
American contribution to our discomfort. We got 
them to increase their range. The men were there- 
fore withdrawn at once from the village, and car- 
rying to the new emplacement proceeded. The 
area still remained dangerous, for between 2 and 
2.15 P.M., Private Whitely of D Company was 
killed and Private First Class Wagener and Pri- 
vate Prescott of B Company were both slightly 
wounded. We had almost concluded by this time 
that the troops with whom we were seeking to co- 
operate could hardly be expecting us to attack; 
but a trip by Captain McNamee to Division Head- 
quarters served to assure us that a "show" was 
called for at 4.30 p.m. Preparations were therefore 
continued and completed. 

At 4.30 five Stokes mortars, with B and D Com- 
pany crews under Lieutenants Smiley and Miller ^ 
opened up, throwing heavy smoke bombs to screen 
the advancing infantry and to enable the engi- 
neers to throw bridges across the Vesle. During 

^ Other officers directing and observing from an elevated posi- 
tion near by were Captains McNamee and Berlin, Lieutenant H. 
C. Williams and Lieutenant Rideout. 



76 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

the next hour and a quarter we threw over 332 
rounds, maintaining the screen, while our artillery 
was also busy in active cooperation. Under the 
resulting erratic and ineffective enemy fire, the 
troops on our right crossed the Vesle, and estab- 
lished themselves on the north bank. With the 
same opportunities afforded by our fire, the bat- 
talion on our left failed to appear — their failure 
also preventing the engineers from achieving their 
mission. We had played our part, however, with 
entire success, not only by furnishing the desired 
smoke screen, but also by starting numerous fires 
in the enemy village of Bazoches. 

That evening the men were withdrawn to 
Ch€ry, and the following morning both Stokes 
mortar platoons returned to join the main body 
at Moreuil-en-Dole. Activity of Company D con- 
tinued, however; for during August 7 and 8 com- 
plete preparations were twice made for prospective 
attacks from the recent position. Ammunition 
was prepared, the guns ready, and carrying in prog- 
ress, when each time orders were canceled by 
Division Headquarters, and the men had to return 
to Moreuil. 

By August 9 the offensive movement was nearly 
over ; the lines had begun to stabilize ; and recon- 
naissance for projector positions began near St. 
Thibaut. In fact D Company had already begun 



CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 77 

preparing thermite bombs for the projector at- 
tack executed at a later date by B. Company D 
had for three or four days been operating more or 
less independently with the Fourth Division. Ac- 
tivity by B was postponed pending orders to at- 
tach them either to a division or to the Third 
Corps which was then in process of moving in. By 
August 1 1 all special equipment had been carried 
out of the line and assembled at Moreuil ; and the 
following day both companies, whose future was 
still in doubt, moved back to La Grange-aux-Bois 
Farm, south of F^re-en-Tardenois. The men were 
all weary, many were suffering from dysentery, 
and every one welcomed a rest much needed and 
richly deserved. 

The part of The Thirtieth in the great counter- 
offensive was over; but how valuable had been 
our share we did not realize fully until we were 
treated to the rare and rewarding spectacle of the 
staffs of two army corps fighting to see which could 
secure our services! General Craig of the First 
Corps (then about to move) insisted on taking the 
whole battalion with him, and refused to part 
with either company. He stated that he would 
under no circumstances give up a unit that had so 
fully shown its ability to help the infantry, and 
that had also at its command the only effective 
method of dispersing machine-gun nests. The 



78 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Third Corps, however, got orders from General 
Headquarters, securing the services of Company B. 
So D alone remained with the First, and made 
preparations to join in their coming movement. 

By a constant readiness to serve in any capacity 
and to make good when needed, we had won 
during those three memorable weeks valuable ex- 
perience and gratifying recognition. The achieve- 
ments of the battalion, under hazardous and novel 
conditions, made the whole regiment proud of the 
past and more confident than ever of the future. 



CHAPTER VI 

THE STABILIZED FRONTS IN JULY AND AUGUST 

The first gas attack during July was carried out 
by Company C of the Provisional Battalion. Be- 
fore leaving the camp at Lagney on June 30, Com- 
pany B, assisted by part of Company C, reset 
most of the projectors west of Fey-en-Haye — the 
position used for their attack of June 18. All the 
officers and non-commissioned officers of C Com- 
pany and about half the remaining men were bil- 
leted in the same quarters at Belgrade that had 
been used by B Company. The general setting, in 
terms of location, carry, and target, was a repeti- 
tion of the earlier "show." Similar, too was the 
period of necessary waiting for favorable weather 
conditions. This interval, however, though longer, 
was less monotonous than it had been for the pre- 
ceding company. One night was enlivened by a suc- 
cessful French raid. Later, during the evening of 
July I, an enemy shell, probably intended for the 
batteries beyond us, fell short in the road near the 
men's billets. The explosion wounded six men — 
Sergeant Goldsmith, and Privates A. Ferguson, 
P. J. Johnson, S. J. Dunton, L. Livingston, and 
H. H. Livasy — all of whom were painfully, though 



8o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

not dangerously, injured. Early the following morn- 
ing the camp was again roused, this time by a gas 
alarm — an interesting experience which proved 
not to be justified by the presence of any gas. 
But it was not only these exceptional incidents 
which redeemed the week from being one of mere 
waiting. Beginning on July 3, Company C began 
to furnish its own covering parties. Flanked by a 
similar French party, 36 of our men protected the 
approach to our position along some 400 yards of 
front-line trench. In this work, continued for ten 
nights, nearly all of the company shared; and 
despite the lack of any previous training, the be- 
havior of the men, under hazardous conditions, 
was altogether gratifying. 

Nearly ten days of waiting ended with the an- 
nouncement on July 8 that "zero" hour would be 
at 1 1 P.M. that night. The requisite wind was blow- 
ing at about six miles per hour, and the night was 
clear. Five hundred and sixty- two projectors had 
been installed. At 11.06 p.m. 404 of these were 
fired. Within ten minutes all the men had been 
withdrawn, without casualties, to Belgrade. About 
one o'clock our covering party went out to join 
the French, and at dawn a detail was sent to the 
position for camouflage. The enemy retaliation 
during all this time was even more negligible than 
after the action in June. Three minutes after the 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 81 

attack the Germans sent up a white light, and 
some twenty-five minutes later a few shells were 
fired over our heads to the areas beyond. No 
further reaction could be observed. Our own tardi- 
ness in firing arose from the fact that the enemy 
observation balloons kept the party from the posi- 
tion until 9.20 P.M. and thus delayed the necessary 
preparations. After the first "shoot" rewiring of 
the unfired projectors was attempted, but too late 
to permit the men to fire by 11. 10, the necessary 
minimum of time if they were to obey orders to be 
off the position by 11. 15. It was therefore impos- 
sible to atone for the fundamental difficulty — 
defective wiring. 

Within four days all the material had been re- 
trieved; Belgrade was again evacuated; and C 
Company was ready for another round. 

A Company, meanwhile (with Captain Pond 
now in command), had been going through the un- 
inspiring process of salvaging unexploded bombs 
from both of its old positions, digging out the pro- 
jectors in number 2, and resetting those in the 
Bois de Jury. This company, too, furnished its own 
covering parties. While such work was in prog- 
ress, regimental and battalion plans had made 
possible the transfer of A to a distant and in- 
dependent field of action. By July 5, after com- 
pleting a lively series of inter-platoon ball games 



82 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

and enjoying a lavish Fourth of July dinner pro- 
vided by the Y.M.C.A., the company was ready 
for departure. Part of the second platoon set out 
that day; and three days later, the rest of the com- 
pany began a railway journey in French box-cars 
through Nancy and Epinal and into the fir-clad 
Vosges mountains — a trip in which scenery hardly 
compensated for much delay and fatigue, and 
which ended, after a short truck ride, in the village 
of Clefcy, less than two miles from the borders 
of Alsace. Here, in unusually beautiful mountain 
country, the men again addressed themselves to 
the task (familiar by now to all the regiment) of 
cleaning up and settling down. 

Opportunity in the new field opened up at once, 
for within forty-eight hours of its arrival part 
of the second platoon, under Lieutenants Morey 
and Greenstone, moved to forward billets, where 
three days later, it was joined by the remainder. 
This move, to a position called Nicolas-Superi- 
eur,^ was in anticipation of an operation order is- 
sued on July 17. The order announced the com- 
ing " show" as one of 258 guns, to cover a target 
known as the Monchberg ^ where numerous enemy 
dugouts were concealed in the woods. Our forward 
dump, to which the trucks could carry men and 

^ Where the men were quartered in wooden barracks four 

miles from the front line. 

2 One kilometer south of Stosswihr. See map. 










.- p o o !■ 
■ o 



- ■•> — Mwlhat 

■'■■'1 "^ B^ I 






THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 83 

material, was at Spitzenfels. There 80 mules took 
up the task of bringing the ammunition uphill to 
within 100 yards of the emplacement. The usual 
long carry for the men was thereby practically 
eliminated; but, by way of compensation, it was 
necessary for them to march from their barracks 
for an hour and a half down to the position, and 
at the close of work, to toil uphill again for nearly 
two hours. Though the digging, too, was very 
difficult, it was all completed in two nights, and 
another night saw the loading and wiring finished. 
Only 220 projectors had been dug in, for the au- 
thorities of the Twenty-first French Division, in 
whose sector we were operating, cut short our 
preparation by calling for action on July 18. Dur- 
ing these few nights of work the platoon was en- 
tirely unmolested, since neither the billets nor the 
emplacement area received any attention from the 
enemy. 

The day before the action "zero" was an- 
nounced as "18 hours," and on July 18 at 6 p.m. 
Company A's second platoon executed the first 
daylight "shoot" — a rarity in the annals of gas 
warfare. The position was in plain view of the 
Boches, but the exploders had been placed be- 
hind a "camouflaged" road. With a west-north- 
west wind blowing at about 14 miles an hour, 
179 bombs were shot ofT (eighty-one per-cent) — 



84 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

a discrepancy due chiefly to poor exploders, and 
one which might have been promptly atoned for 
if there had been darkness to permit further work. 
The retaliation was trifling — a few distant and 
scattering shots about 6.15 and a little subse- 
quent shelling on French battery positions. By 
6.30 most of the men were sent back to their 
battery positions, while Lieutenant Morey, Ser- 
geant Cobun, and Corporal Meyers went out to 
inspect the batteries. Corporal Graves soon after 
went to the guns to put in the bomb-pins. These 
"plus-zero" activities were in full daylight view 
of the enemy, yet (save for some sniping close to 
Graves) they passed undisturbed. The next night 
the whole quantity of material was salvaged, and 
by June 22 most of the platoon had rejoined the 
company at Clefcy. 

Company A did not have to wait long for its 
next opportunity. It was learned from the Head- 
quarters of the Twenty-first French Division that 
"intelligence" revealed German efforts to prepare 
for the capture of the Tete du Violu, a large hill 
in the Anould sector. Advanced trenches were 
being constructed and that portion of the German 
line was more populous and busy than usual. The 
time was ripe for a blow that should harass these 
new positions and put a stop to the further organi- 
zation of an advance. We therefore received not 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 85 

merely "clearance" but encouragement to com- 
plete the job quickly. On July 27, four days before 
the issue of formal operation orders, the fourth 
platoon and part of the first were sent to forward 
billets, and on July 31 the third (Stokes mortar) 
platoon followed. These forward billets at the 
Post "La Cude," many of which were occupied 
by French infantry, consisted of shacks and dug- 
outs clustered above and below a broad road 
which wound through the woods along a steep 
hillside. The men's sleeping quarters were unpro- 
tected huts; but ample dugouts were adjacent; 
and the shelter they afforded, together with the 
sharp slope of the hill, made safety as easily avail- 
able as it was frequently desirable. The men, too, 
were not wholly without small comforts, thanks 
to Mr. Hopkins, our devoted Y.M.C.A. worker. 

The operation orders for the coming "show" 
required two projector emplacements, totaling 
500 guns. These were designated as S and S^; 
150 guns from S were to hit one target (A) and 
250 another target (B), which was also the target 
for the 100 guns in position S^ Seven Stokes mor- 
tars, in addition, were to fire 300 bombs upon a 
third target (C) from a position S^ close to S^ 
The main position S was almost on a level with 
the camp and not more than 500 yards from its 
center. Ox teams were used to transport the muni- 



86 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

tions from the village of Quebrux (three and one 
half miles away) where the trucks had to stop. 
For the workers at S, therefore, the carry was 
short and easy. The emplacement was in rough 
pasture ground at the edge of the woods, open 
to observation by day, but easily concealed by 
camouflage. The other two positions, however, 
called for an uphill march through wood paths 
of nearly a mile and a subsequent short but very 
trying carry of 200 yards straight up a sharp in- 
cline through deep trenches. The projector posi- 
tion here was just forward of the front line trenches 
in wrecked and battered ground that had once 
been a forest. Though the enemy was not more 
than 180 yards away, French outposts intervened 
between us and him. At these points and under 
these conditions work progressed as rapidly as 
the difficulties of transportation would permit. 
Under the direction of Lieutenant Noble, assisted 
by Lieutenants Greenstone and B. Williams, 340 
projectors had been dug in by July 30 and the 
full number by August i. The Stokes mortars, of 
which Lieutenant Cooper was in charge, were 
then set up; loading and wiring was completed; 
and by August 3 everything was ready. 

The French commanders at the two posts of 
La Cude and Nacquard were most cordial fellow- 
workers. Every visit to them and their officers, 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 87 

for reports and instructions, was the occasion for 
a miniature entertainment, in which Noble's cour- 
ageous monosyllabic patois was always a welcome 
addition to the otherwise French conversation. 
Our officers, too, had the refreshing opportunity 
to enjoy both the cuisine and the companionship 
of the French officers' mess. 

Throughout this period of preparation both our 
ally and our enemy conspired to make our home 
in the woods a spot full of liveliness and risk. The 
first offensive move of the French was the harmless 
one of shooting over to the Boches in rifle grenades 
thousands of propaganda leaflets urging the weary 
Germans to a social revolution as the only solution 
of the war. Pending their acceptance of this advice, 
the French trench mortar batteries bombarded 
the enemy trenches for a time each day from 
July 31 to August 4. The prompt result was invari- 
ably a retaliation which from our point of view 
seemed always to exceed the original attack. On 
four different days the woods around us were sub- 
jected to intermittent shelling, at times very 
heavy. During one of these periods, a "dud" shell 
pierced the little French Y.M.C.A. shack and tore 
off a Frenchman's leg below the knee. Prompt 
assistance was rendered by five of our men who 
bound up his leg and carried him, during the con- 
tinuation of the bombardment, three hundred 



88 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

yards up to the dressing-station.^ This artillery 
activity culminated in a violent "bombardment 
of destruction" on August 3, from 645 to 8.45 
P.M., during which the French batteries of all cal- 
ibers threw over 3000 shells and 2000 trench mor- 
tar bombs. Their aim was to demolish the suspi- 
cious pioneer and construction work upon which 
the Germans had been recently engaged, and then 
to offer them two days of quiet, at the end of which 
their activity at busy repairing might make them 
good targets for gas. The ultimate results amply 
justified the undertaking. The immediate result, 
though, was a return bombardment — forty min- 
utes longer than the French — which kept our 
men housed for a long time but brought no casu- 
alties. In the subsequent raid, however, executed 
by the French, nine French wounded were cared 
for during that night by Dr. McKee. 

To take its proper place in these series of attacks, 
our day and hour of action was announced as 
August 5 at II P.M. During that morning the 
Boches shelled our woods at intervals ; but in our 
last work before shooting we were quite unmo- 
lested. That evening Major Crawford and Cap- 
tain Wilson took their station at Regimental and 
Captain Pond at Battalion Headquarters; and 

1 Private First Class C. W. Proctor and Privates W. Baker, 
C. J. Ross, C S. Dean, and H. M. Carson. 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 89 

the platoons proceeded to the emplacements to 
put on the finishing touches. Those working with 
the projectors had their exploders in safe positions 
close to dugouts ; but the Stokes mortar men (who 
had one gun in a dugout, one in a shell hole, and 
the rest in a trench) were in a highly exposed posi- 
tion on the crest of a hill.^ 

The wind had for some time been steadily favor- 
able, and at "zero" hour was blowing from the 
west at seven miles per hour. The sky was misty 
and overcast. At a few seconds before zero the 
batteries in position S were exploded, the Stokes 
mortars followed at once, and then the projectors 
in S^ Immediately after the discharge the pro- 
jector men went to inspect the guns. Every bomb 
in position S had gone over. In position S^ a whole 
battery was found unexploded. This was at once 
reported by Private McCray,^ and he and Ser- 
geant Neal ^ and Horseshoer Arthur, ^ after going 
out with another exploder, in the face of enemy 
bombardment, and tracing all the wires, discov- 
ered that the original exploder had never been 
used, and at once set off the discharge, making one 
hundred per-cent total for S^ In the course of 
their work both McCray and Sergeant Neal were 
gassed by a Stokes mortar "short." Meantime, 

1 Tgte du Violu. 

' Recommended for the D.S.C. See Appendix E. 



90 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

the Stokes mortar crews, under Lieutenant Cooper 
and Sergeants McConnell and Kelly, had been 
doing admirably cool and effective work under 
most difficult conditions. Early in the game the 
bombs jammed in three guns and the rest of the 
ammunition had to be shot by the remaining four. 
One of these shot 86 bombs. The necessary delay 
brought the duration of the action well within the 
time of enemy retaliation, and during the last six 
minutes of work trench mortar bombs and ma- 
chine-gun fire made the position almost untenable. 
In spite of these risks, however, all the crews had 
joined the first platoon by 11.20 in a deep and 
capacious dugout, with a ninety-eight per-cent rec- 
ord to their credit and no losses. The enemy re- 
taliation was heavy from 11.07 onward for over 
half an hour. Shells fell on all the positions and 
within the area of the billets. Camouflage work 
was therefore not attempted until after midnight. 
It was then carried out in comparative safety, and 
before two o'clock the last man was securely housed 
in the home dugouts at La Cude. An unrestful 
three hours then ensued, until at 5 a.m. began the 
artillery accompaniment of three French raids, 
calling down upon us a heavier retaliation than 
ever. Further spasms of shelling occurred off and 
on till nearly 10 — after which there was a reign 
of peace until after our final departure. 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 91 

The night of August 6 was occupied with sal- 
vaging the material at SS and the following night 
with resetting the projectors in position S — a 
well-placed group which was left behind for fu- 
ture reference. When this work was over, soon 
after midnight, the men marched down to the vil- 
lage of Quebrux, and at nine o'clock on the 8th were 
brought back in trucks to Clefcy. Our ten days' 
work had achieved the best "show" yet recorded 
to the credit of The Thirtieth. Major Crawford and 
his staff were warm in their praise of the company's 
achievements, and the French Division Comman- 
der sent the following letter to Captain Pond : 

[Translation] 
With the Armies — August 6, 191 8 

General Dauvin, Commanding the 21st Division of 

Infantry 
To Captain Pond, Commanding Company A of the 
30th Spedal Battalion, U.S. 

Co. A of the 30th Special Battalion U.S. has just 
completed with entire success two projector operations 
on the front of the Anould sector. 

This result is due to the brilliant qualities of your 
officers and men who, under your energetic leadership, 
have known how to triumph over all the extreme diffi- 
culties encountered in the execution of their task, with 
never a thought for the efforts made or the danger 
incurred. 

I express to you and beg you to transmit to Captain 
Wilson of the British Army and to all the officers and 
men of your unit my sincere compliments and thanks. 



92 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Our highest reward, however, came in the form 
of an unconscious tribute from the enemy. Tele- 
phone conversations among the Boches, over- 
heard by the French, revealed the fact that within 
a few hours of our attack they had lost between 80 
and 100 killed.^ That less than 150 men should be 
able to cause at least that many casualties among 
the enemy and have but two men slightly wounded, 
is a striking instance of the power of offensive gas 
warfare when skillfully conducted. ^ 

Upon the return of the men to Clefcy, village 
life was given a new dash of color and interest by 
the unexpected arrival of ten horses and thirty- 
five mules. The latter began at once to prove more 
dangerous than the enemy. It was a nervous mo- 
ment, too, for those expert mechanics and elec- 
tricians whom, without thought of being taken 

^ The following is a translation of the conversation overheard: 
" It is beginning again — Grenades on No. 53. Do you hear on 
53? Here Schattenburg — so be careful. If it starts again, answer. 
Anyway, we have to come back on the 137. Yes, yes. We have to 
reoccupy the post immediately. The non-commissioned officer 
must stay. He is the faulty one — yes, let's go on the 137. For- 
ward on 137. Here Bauer. What happened? More than 80 to 100 
killed. What 80? Yes, come up at once. Yes, carry away half of 
them. What is new? If the non-commissioned officer does not suc- 
ceed, Bauer will go up with a detachment and will take care of 
this affair. Here Bauer. I remain at observation. Are there any of 
the enemies? Yes, the 5th announces that the enemy have occu- 
pied the emplacement. God damn it. The observers of the 5th 
have seen the enemy." 

2 Captain Wilson, R.E. of the British Army, attached to the 
battalion, stated that A Company's attack was the nearest ap- 
proach to an ideal "show" that he had ever seen. 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 93 

literally, we had promoted to the grade of "horse- 
shoer"; but increasing deftness and caution es- 
tablished right relations after only one casualty. 

Before moving out to prepare for the next oper- 
ation, Company A had regretfully to part with 
Lieutenant Morey who left us to join the Bureau 
of Construction and Forestry as waterworks ex- 
pert.^ Morey had been with the company since 
the days of organization at American University, 
and had played a full and active part in all its 
work. For steadiness and efficiency his record 
could not have been better; and as a genial and 
faithful friend all of us valued him highly and 
missed him heartily. 

The next attack by Company A was on the 
ways the moment the previous one had been 
launched, for on August 7, the night the pla- 
toons left Violu, Captain Pond was ordered by the 
Commanding Officer of the Thirty-third French 
Corps to report to the Commanding Officer of the 
Twenty-second French Division, prepared to rec- 
onnoiter for a new projector position. Reconnais- 
sance by Captains Pond and Wilson resulted in 
orders five days later to carry out an operation; 
and on August 13, the second and fourth platoons 
started on trucks for a trip of over thirty miles 

^ He was later promoted and assigned as Major to the 26th 
Engineers. 



94 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

south to Weiler. The journey over winding moun- 
tain roads (where at one point fifteen successive 
"hair-pin curves" occurred) brought them across 
to German soil. The whole "show" in fact, in- 
cluding even the men's billets, was well within 
enemy territory. From Weiler the detachment 
marched to Camp Turenne — a steep climb of 
nearly three miles ; and there they were quartered 
with the French in wooden shacks. 

In preparing for this attack most of the difficul- 
ties centered in transportation. To carry out our 
plans, 35 tons of munitions had to be hauled 65 
kilometers over mountain roads to a point (near 
Weiler) at which was located the foot of an 
electrical aerial tramway. Thence the material 
mounted 800 meters to a forward dump, from 
which 80 French pack mules carried it to the posi- 
tion. That our line of communication was kept 
open, in spite of much trouble with trucks, is due 
to the able efforts of the company motor detail 
under the admirable direction of Sergeant Ahrens. 

The emplacement area, where the men began 
work on August 15, was reached by a descent of 
five kilometers from the billets, which upon each 
return trip turned into a lengthening ascent. These 
night marches partly made up for the lack of any 
"carry"; and the digging in rocky soil filled with 
the roots of a shell-torn forest brought added 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 95 

labor. In spite of this, only four nights were spent 
on the position, and during two of these, the full 
quota of 315 guns was dug in. The position was 
in the open with only French patrols ahead of us. 
Since the target — on the famous Hartmanns 
Willerkopf — consisted chiefly of large groups of 
minenwerfer batteries, the workers ran constant 
risks. Each night either the road or the vicinity 
of the guns was subjected to shelling; and on the 
second night of work a "flying pig" exploded 
close to our party, half burying Lieutenant Wil- 
liams and four men — fortunately without injury 
to any one. 

By the morning of August 20 work was com- 
pleted, and the operation ordered to take place 
the following day. The wind, however, was not 
favorable until the evening of August 23. That 
night at 10.30 the entire 315 projectors were shot 
off — another record of one hundred per-cent. The 
French artillery fired from 10.35 to 10.40. The 
men remained in dugouts close to the exploders 
until about midnight, when the absence of any 
response from the enemy made possible the im- 
mediate resetting of 212 of the guns. These would 
have been used again two nights later, had not 
belated retaliation intervened. On the following 
afternoon, from two till five, some 800 minenwerfer 
shells were thrown upon the position — a bom- 



96 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

bardment so severe that it resulted in knocking 
out of the ground nearly all of the guns, though 
few were destroyed. Meanwhile, word had ar- 
rived from Advanced Regimental Headquarters 
ordering Company A to assemble preparatory to 
moving. So the projectors were salvaged at once; 
by the next morning the men had returned to 
Weiler; and by August 28 all men and material 
were back again at Clefcy. After detailing a guard 
to protect the dump, the company left Clefcy on 
August 30 and two days later were billeted at 
Laneuville, two miles from Lagney. Company A's 
work in the Vosges was over. It had been achieved 
with growing skill, and completed with distinc- 
tion.^ 

We had left Company C at Lagney on July 12 
ready for another "show." For this the operation 
order was issued July 17, and work began at once. 
This order called for the firing of projectors from 
Company A's old position in the Bois de Jury (D) 
and in addition for a "fake" projector discharge 
(E) , a smaller projector discharge (F) , and a Stokes 

^ Captain Pond's operation report contains these words: 
" I wish particularly to recommend Lieutenant George Noble 
to the Commanding Officer of the First Gas Regiment for the in- 
telligent and forceful way in which he has carried out the last two 
operations. . . . [Their success] is due entirely to the excellent 
work of the men in the line under Lieutenant Noble's able and 
efficient direction, and to the efforts of the motor detail from the 
company in keeping material moving forward." 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 97 

mortar bombardment (G). The execution of this, 
our first complex operation, was aided by A Com- 
pany's work, before its departure, in resetting its 
former projectors. But bombardment had dis- 
turbed their emplacement, and the repair re- 
quired, together with the preparation of the three 
additional attacks, was a heavy task. In carrying 
it out the whole company took part, furnishing all 
of the carrying parties and all of the covering par- 
ties. The men traveled each day by truck from 
Lagney through Mandres, a town under direct 
observation and frequently shelled. Later there 
ensued a carry of fully half a mile to the position. 
On one day, the 19th, the men worked for twenty- 
nine hours at a stretch with little food and no re- 
lief. During most of this time of labor, there was 
the added responsibility of posting covering par- 
ties. A divisional relief had resulted in a change of 
the front line which left our position in advance of 
that line instead of behind it. The need for nightly 
guards was therefore imperative. The distance 
from the enemy was great, however, and shelling 
or sniping seldom disturbed our work. Within 
eight days the preparations were completed, in- 
cluding all the wiring — an important part of 
the work directed by Lieutenant Owen and con- 
ducted with unusual care and excellence. For nine 
days thereafter the company had to wait for a 



98 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

favorable wind. This trying period was marked by 
two bombardments of the Jury woods — one very 
intense (July 31, 4 to 6 a.m.), when 4000 shells 
resulted in only slight damage to a few batteries.^ 
Five men of the covering party, led by Sergeant 
Kaiser, barely escaped with their lives from the 
barrage when they left their dugout in order to 
meet in the open the raid that was expected. 
During the previous bombardment, too, the ser- 
geant, with Thurman and Polanski, had rescued 
several infantrymen wounded at their lookout 
posts. 

The night of August 3 was at first unpromising, 
for rain persisted until i a.m. ; but soon after that 
hour came clear weather and a southeast wind 
blowing at three miles per hour — the right con- 
ditions at last. "Zero" was promptly announced 
as 3 A.M., and at that hour a triple attack was 
launched ; 465 (out of 466) drums were shot from 
the main projector emplacement, the "fake" 
flashes (used for the first time) went off from Posi- 
tion E ; and against enemy machine-gun positions 
83 per-cent ^ of the Stokes mortar bombs were 
fired. Twenty minutes later 91 per-cent of the 60 

* On August 2, Captain Lowenberg resumed command of 
Company C. Captain Wood had left three days previously to 
organize new battalions for the regiment in the United States. 

2 Caps and "biscuits" dampened by the night's rain were the 
cause of this discrepancy. 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 99 

drums in the second projector position were dis- 
charged upon the same target used by the other 
projectors. Except for the usual rockets, flares, 
and gas alarms, the enemy's reaction was limited 
to throwing some fifty shells into our position at 
the edge of the woods. The casualties, however, 
were all on his side. From both direct and aerial 
observation, reports were later made that not only 
were numerous ambulances and stretcher-bearers 
seen to be busy, but as many as ten car-loads of 
casualties were hauled away later on that day — 
a total quite sufficient to record to our credit an- 
other notable success. 

Though such an achievement might be thought 
a full night's work for one company. Company C, 
on that very night, at 2 a.m., was executing an- 
other operation some seventy miles distant. The 
period of delay that preceded August 3 had per- 
mitted the dispatch of about sixty men, under 
Lieutenants Day and Colledge, to the battered 
little village of V6ho near Lun^ville. There, in 
ruined cellars a mile from the enemy, the men 
were housed with troops of the Sixth French Corps 
who were holding the fine. Three active nights 
(July 29 to 31) were spent in getting ready. Horse- 
drawn machine-gun limbers, always noisy, carried 
the material along a screened road to within half 
a mile of the position, where it was transferred 



100 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

to sixty little burros who could be led directly to 
the emplacement. Some of the carrying, though, 
was done by the men, for the work had to be hur- 
ried, and the burros were never very strenuous, 
even when the advice of one soldier was taken to 
"promise them a trip to Nancy and then make 
them work like hell." Three hundred projectors 
were dug in at a point back of a small knoll behind 
low bushes. The target was Le Remabois, near 
Leintry. 

After three days of waiting "zero" was set at 
2 A.M. ; 294 out of the 300 projector drums were 
then discharged. At the same time an impromptu 
"fake flash show" was executed by Lieutenant 
Owen with no more equipment than powder in a 
score of old charge boxes fired with French ex- 
ploders. Since no retaliation ensued, there was 
ample opportunity to fire two more of the pro- 
jectors and to camouflage the position. That the 
attack, though small, was not without its effect, 
seems clear from the later report of a deserter, 
who stated that in his company alone there were 
twenty casualties, of which four were deaths. 

Retrieving the material was on this occasion 
more difficult than arranging it, for wooden base- 
plates had been used; the projectors had sunk 
deep into the soft ground ; and 25 men of Company 
Q, as well as a detachment from C, were occupied 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST loi 

for nearly a week in salvaging the guns. By the 
middle of August, however, C Company was again 
united. 

Preparations had already begun by August lo 
for the biggest of all our projector "shows." 
At the L^onval Dump Company C loaded their 
ninety tons of munitions on railroad cars by which 
they were transported to a point near the village 
of Merviller not far from Baccarat. There trucks 
took up the burden and brought the material to 
a point where eighty burros carried it to the posi- 
tion. The target was the enemy trenches in the 
woods southwest of Montreux. One hundred and 
seventy-three men of C Company, now attached 
to the Thirty-seventh Division, U.S.A.,^ were bil- 
leted in wooden barracks and barns in the village 
of Merviller. With a growing skill in systematizing 
their work, the men were able, with the assistance 
of burros and of infantry carrying parties, to com- 
plete the job assigned in five days. In that short 
time 800 projectors were set. The emplacement 
was in No Man's Land, and our own covering 
party, armed with Chauchot rifles, protected the 
workers. Machine-gun sniping and throwing of 
hand-grenades were a nightly occurrence, but 
there was no shelling of our immediate area. 
Curiously enough, however, the neighborhood of 
* Then operating with the Sixth French Corps. 



102 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

the billets was regularly shelled, making rest more 
risky than work. 

In this operation no untoward conditions de- 
layed our action. Thirty minutes after the last 
bit of work was finished — at midnight (August 
17-18) — the guns were fired. Eight hundred 
drums were sent over without a single ' * dud." Not 
one shell was fired in answer and not one casualty 
marred our satisfaction in a " show " that for speed 
of preparation and skill of execution won for Com- 
pany C a record that none has excelled. 

After its return to the Bois de Lagney the com- 
pany settled down to routine tasks, working at the 
construction of shelter trenches in the woods and 
assisting at the dump in the preparation of ammu- 
nition for the operations already being planned 
for September. 

After the active period of the Chateau-Thierry 
offensive, when Companies B and D moved rear- 
wards to La Grange-aux-Bois Farm, their fate 
was as yet undecided ; and rumors were wild and 
varied. Some expected that they were destined for 
the Toul sector, others had heard that Italy was 
the goal ; but all were sure that some notable step 
was soon to be taken. The net result of these high 
hopes was the dispatch of D Company on a slow 
journey toward St. Mihiel, and immediate orders 
for B to move back to the point it had just left. 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 103 

Accordingly, after spending the 12th in marching 
16 kilometers south, the men spent the 14th in 
marching 26 kilometers north — a seven hours* 
"hike" which ended in the village of Arcis le 
Ponsart. There they achieved the feat, rare in our 
records, of remaining for nearly a month. The vil- 
lage had been only recently evacuated by the 
Germans; it was subject to balloon observation 
and to frequent shelling ; and nobody else wanted 
to live there for long. With this encouragement, 
our men moved in, and proceeded to make them- 
selves comfortable in all the best billets. Most 
of these were necessarily underground, but none 
the less desirable; and some of the officers were 
able to enjoy one of those French houses which 
only Americans call "chateaux." 

Company B had been assigned to our Third 
Corps, and in succeeding operations the company 
worked with the Twenty-eighth and Seventy- 
seventh Divisions. The best of "liaison" and the 
best of good feeling prevailed in our relations 
with the corps and divisions. The officers in com- 
mand had earlier known and noted our work, and 
having asked for our unit, they were fully pre- 
pared to use us to the best advantage. During two 
weeks, as a result (August 20 to September 3), B 
Company was able to execute five operations. The 
front along the Vesle had by that time become 



104 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

pretty well stabilized. No direct or extended of- 
fensive was planned, for the enemy was soon to 
be outflanked from the northwest. Little more 
was undertaken, therefore, than attempts to har- 
ass, to secure bridgeheads, and to test the enemy's 
strength and purposes. In all of these designs our 
men were equipped to assist. 

Arcis le Ponsart was about eight kilometers 
from the front. Eight kilometers northwest of the 
town was the village of St. Thibaut, facing the 
enemy village of Bazoches, and eight kilometers 
northeast was the village of Magneux, facing the 
enemy village of Courlandon. At the lower angle 
of the rough triangle thus described, B Company 
lived ; and at its two upper angles the company 
made its attacks. Of the five actions, three were 
from emplacements at St. Thibaut, facing targets 
in or near Bazoches, and two were from emplace- 
ments close to Magneux, facing targets in or near 
Courlandon. The former were in the Seventy- 
seventh Division sector, the latter in that of the 
Twenty-eighth. Both groups of positions were 
difficult to reach or to leave in safety. St. Thibaut 
could be approached by only two roads, both of 
which were frequently shelled and both of which 
led through a valley usually soaked with gas, while 
work near Magneux required a very long carry 
over exposed terrain. ^ 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 105 

The plans of the first "show" were for an em- 
placement of 50 projectors situated in the north 
end of St. Thibaut. The object was to use thermite 
not only to set fire to the village of Bazoches, but 
also to simulate a gas attack, in order that the 
enemy might withdraw from cover and leave him- 
self exposed to further fire from our Stokes mor- 
tars and artillery. A simultaneous Stokes mortar 
attack was therefore scheduled. The fourth pla- 
toon and part of the third, with Lieutenant Bash 
in charge, dug in the projectors on the night of 
August 18, with little assistance from a large 
infantry carrying party who were very nervous 
under fire and left much of the work to our own 
men. Two of the infantrymen were killed and 
several wounded, but our men escaped unhurt. 
The next night installing of the Stokes mortars 
and the carrying of ammunition, directed by 
Lieutenant Miller, were completed before mid- 
night, and "zero" was set for i a.m. At that hour 
(August 20) the projectors were successfully dis- 
charged, and immediately the mortars opened 
fire. Within three minutes two groups of six and 
five guns respectively had fired 120 rounds of 
thermite, and at i .05 a.m. the artillery began its 
bombardment. 

In this " all- thermite show," the most success- 
ful of its kind then achieved by the American 



io6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Army, we succeeded in causing many fires in Ba- 
zoches, which were not extinguished for an hour 
and a half. Of retahation there was little or none. 
We had conducted the whole enterprise with the 
loss of only two men wounded, and before dawn 
the platoons had been crowded into trucks and 
safely carried back to Arcis. 

A smaller operation of a similar character was 
carried out a week later (August 27, 4.15 A.m.) 
when 35 thermite bombs were fired by the fourth 
platoon from projectors installed in St. Thibaut 
at the target of La Haute Maison back of Ba- 
zoches, and two Stokes mortars fired 29 rounds 
of smoke bombs at the railroad junction west of 
town in an effort to assist the infantry. While this 
*'show" was being executed, the third platoon, 
under Lieutenant Catlett, was already digging in 
projectors for another performance at Magneux 
— eight kilometers eastward. It had been planned 
to use 100 guns, but unforeseen difficulties pre- 
vented. One night the gun limbers furnished by 
the infantry failed to arrive on time, and on an- 
other night an unexpected raid interfered. The 
mile-long carry, over exposed ground frequently 
shelled, resulted in losses of munitions; and only 
75 guns and gas bombs succeeded in reaching the 
emplacement. With two nights of work, however, 
these had been transported and made ready; and 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 107 

two Stokes mortars, in charge of Lieutenant 
Jabine, had been installed by the first platoon near 
Villette. On August 28 at 12.30 a.m., with a light 
wind prevailing, the combined attack was made, 
the projectors successfully fired, and 30 rounds of 
thermite sent over by the mortars, to clean out 
machine-gun nests in Le Roland Usine. Though 
German minenwerfers and 77's were roused to 
some retaliation, we experienced no casualties and 
were able to withdraw in safety. Our operation 
was the first attempt to use gas in that sector, 
and the consequent surprise to the enemy in 
Courlandon resulted in his evacuation of the vil- 
lage and the adjacent territory. 

Five days afterward Villette again furnished 
the emplacement for our Stokes mortars. On the 
night of August 31 the first platoon, with the as- 
sistance of an infantry carrying party of 70 men, 
set up twelve Stokes mortars (most of them in vil- 
lage courtyards) and prepared all their ammuni- 
tion. The purpose of the coming operation was to 
establish a semi-circular screen of smoke to simu- 
late the start of an infantry advance, in order to 
draw the enemy's fire and to disclose his inten- 
tions. To make this plan all the more plausible, the 
allied 75 's opened up a barrage a few minutes be- 
fore "zero," and at 2 a.m. our guns began firing. 
One hundred and eighty-four rounds of heavy 



io8 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

smoke were discharged. As a means of drawing the 
enemy's fire this attack was a marked success, for 
the entire area on our side of the smoke screen was 
immediately subjected to an hour of heavy bom- 
bardment from machine-guns, trench mortars, 
and artillery. Not only were the intentions of the 
enemy revealed, but the lesson was taught us, 
without losses, that direct smoke screens only 
invite retaliation upon a conspicuous target, and 
that flanking screens and "fake" screens were 
clearly to be more profitable tactics for the fu- 
ture. 

On September 3 at 3 a.m. a third and final pro- 
jector operation was executed at St. Thibaut, for 
which there were used many of the original guns 
at the first emplacement. Once more the target 
was the village of Bazoches and the enemy works 
in La Haute Maison. This time, however, gas 
only was used, of which 67 drums were fired. 
Once again we were fortunate enough to encoun- 
ter neither retaliation nor casualties. 

At this point the fighting of Company B on the 
Vesle front came to an end. The company had 
long been below strength; many men were still 
suffering from dysentery; and every one began to 
feel increasingly the strain of living for six weeks 
not merely apart from all diversion and recreation, 
but continuously under fire. Yet the company was 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 109 

not ready to quit. It was the Germans who quit 
first. Their retreat from the Vesle began on 
September 4, and Company B's subsequent weeks 
of movement without active operations were due 
to the wider plans of the gathering American First 
Army. 

By September 8, B had received orders to as- 
semble at the railhead at M6zy, and a week later 
left from there by train for Lemmes, near Ver- 
dun. On September 18 the company moved to 
Ville-sur-Cousances, which remained its head- 
quarters during the next two months of heavy 
fighting. 

While the varied operations of Companies B 
and C were in process of achievement, Company D 
had been gradually working its way toward the 
St. Mihiel sector. After a rest at La Grange-aux- 
Bois Farm, south of Fdre-en-Tardenois, the com- 
pany marched twenty miles to another farm near 
La Fert6 where they remained four days. On Au- 
gust 19 at 5 P.M. they entrained at Trilport, near 
Meaux, and detrained early the next morning at 
Roupe, where they bivouacked during the day. 
A final march of sixteen miles ended at Blaise — 
an attractive village between Joinville and Chau- 
mont — where for six days the men were given a 
complete rest. On August 27 the company set out 
in trucks for Rambluzin, south of Verdun, arriv- 



no THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

ing the next day in plenty of time to begin prep- 
arations for the coming drive. 

While the four senior companies had been plan- 
ning and executing the attacks that we have been 
describing, the regimental home at La Ville-aux- 
Bois was for some time emptied of all but Q Com- 
pany, which continued its self-sacrificing existence 
as a replacement company, and which entered also 
upon a course of gas training so that all its men 
might be ready for active service. This training 
consisted not merely in digging and wiring. It ex- 
tended to the conduct of operations that lacked 
nothing but the presence of the enemy to make 
them real. The operation reports, in fact, read 
exactly like those of the companies at the front, 
especially the account of the "action" of July 
25 when 24 Stokes mortars were installed and 
fired in conjunction with imaginary raids. 

On July 18 the welcome arrival of Companies 
E and F once more filled the village, and brought 
our total strength of officers and men up to 1932. 

Company E had begun its organization at Fort 
Myer as early as January 18, but had not reached 
full strength until April 5, while Company F, in- 
augurated March 9, was complete April 25. Like 
the earlier companies, E was composed almost 
wholly of volunteers; but F drew half its strength 
from the draft. Their three or four months' train- 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST in 

ing, besides the usual infantry drill, included a 
week at the near-by Edsall rifle range and five 
gas "shows" on a diminutive scale, for the com- 
panies* equipment included twenty-five projec- 
tors and one Stokes mortar. The two companies at 
Fort Myer attracted attention not only by these 
exhibitions of their specialty, but also by their 
soldierly qualities and training in drill. Twice they 
were selected, out of some 2000 other men at the 
post, to furnish a detail to act as the President's 
guard upon the occasion of ceremonies at Arling- 
ton Cemetery. 

Orders for their overseas transportation had 
been difficult to secure, and it was not until June 
22 that the battalion (of which Captain Dayton 
had been in command since May 23) finally em- 
barked on the President Grant. The breakdown of 
the transport's refrigerating plant resulted in a re- 
turn to port, followed by a week's delay at Camp 
Merritt before the final sailing on June 30. In the 
convoy were thirteen transports, protected by an 
armored cruiser and by destroyers. The fleet 
reached Brest safely on July 12, and early the next 
day the two companies disembarked, and marched 
to the Pontanezen barracks where they were quar- 
tered for two days before entraining. Their jour- 
ney ended at La Ville-aux-Bois on July 18 when 
Captain Carlock (from whom Company B had 



112 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

just parted with the keenest regret) assumed com- 
mand of the battaHon. 

Under his guidance plans were promptly made 
to conduct such a schedule of intensive training 
as would fit the new battalion for independent 
action within the shortest possible time — a period 
shorter than that allotted to C and D. After a 
week of energetic work in testing new American 
gas masks, the two companies were actively en- 
gaged in living up to the schedule of lectures and 
field work and to the composition and execution 
of complete operation orders for weekly "shows." 
Three weeks after its arrival the first platoon of 
Company F was already equipped to present a 
demonstration of Stokes mortars and projectors in 
action for the staff of the First and Fourth Corps 
at Neuf chateau (Augusts). At this time Lieuten- 
ants Paine and Steidle took command, respec- 
tively, of Companies E and F, while Captains 
Dayton and Carson were undergoing training at 
the front. ^ Though ready to fight before the mid- 
dle of August, E and F were not ordered to move 
until the end of the month. Just before their de- 
parture they were reviewed on August 27 by Gen- 

^ Lieutenant Steidle, as the representative of The Thirtieth, 
had been working, during the previous month, at the Gas Service 
Experimental Field, engaged in the instruction of engineer officers 
in the principles of gaa warfare and gas defense — a valuable con- 
tribution carried out with admirable spirit and success. 



THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 113 

eral Fries, and two days later proceeded by train 
to the vicinity of Lagney where E Company joined 
C in the old camp in the woods and F Company 
was billeted with A at the village of Laneuville. 

By the end of August Companies A, C, E, and 
F had all gathered in the neighborhood of Toul, 
and had been reconstituted as the First Battalion 
under the command of Major Watson. Company 
D had moved to the western side of the St. Mihiel 
salient, and had been transferred to Major Car- 
lock's Second Battalion — to which the absent 
B Company, a platoon from E and a platoon from 
F were also assigned.^ On August 18 Advanced 
Regimental Headquarters had been installed at 
Lagney, with Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford in 
charge, until the arrival of Colonel Atkisson ^ on 
August 29. 

Earlier in the month (August 9) a General 
Order from General Headquarters (G.O. 133, 
Par. i) announced that "The Thirtieth Engineers 
(Gas and Flame) is transferred to the Chemical 
Warfare Service, effective July 13, and will here- 
after be designated as the First Gas Regiment." 
This formal transfer to a new service, with a new 
name, gave us a standing clearer and more dis- 
tinctive than of old, but it changed in no degree 

* The Provisional Battalion temporarily disappeared. 
' Commissioned August 8. 



114 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

our work, our purpose, or our spirit. These were 
shortly to be tested more severely than ever be- 
fore. Operating for the first time in the field as a 
regimental unit, we were to be part of the First 
American Army in its first battle. The clans had 
been gathering for the great event, and in the 
crowded days of active preparation there was a 
thrill of anticipation. 



CHAPTER VII 

THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 

For the St. Mihiel operation the regiment (minus 
Company B) had been assigned to our new First 
Army, and the task before us was therefore heavier 
and more complex than we had hitherto known. 
Though a gas regiment had never before operated 
as part of an army in an offensive, we had already 
won, upon a smaller scale, sufficient experience to 
make our duty clear. Our record in the Chateau- 
Thierry campaign had proved both to us and to 
the High Command that even during an advance 
in open warfare, valuable use could be made of 
Stokes mortars firing smoke, thermite, and gas; 
and that while the front was still stationary, pro- 
jectors could be used with both gas, thermite, and 
high explosive. To apply these facts in detail upon 
a wide stretch of front and in close connection 
with the plans of the infantry, was now to be our 
work. 

In order that we might cover the ground as com- 
pletely as possible, the regiment was distributed 
by platoons along the entire army front. In the 
First Corps sector Company C was divided be- 
tween the Eighty-second and Ninetieth Divisions 



ii6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

and Company E (less one platoon) between the 
Fifth and Second. The Fourth Corps took Com- 
pany A and Company F (less one platoon), attach- 
ing the former to the Eighty-ninth and the latter 
to the First and Forty-second Divisions. These 
two corps operated on the southern side of the 
salient between St. Mihiel and Pont-^-Mousson. 
The shorter western side of the salient included the 
Fifth Corps sector where Company D, with one 
platoon of E and one of F, worked with French 
colonial troops and with our Twenty-sixth Di- 
vision. 

The aim of this offensive was to close the sharp 
St. Mihiel salient. The southern side was to swing 
forward, pivoting upon Pont-^-Mousson ; the 
western side was to swing forward pivoting upon 
a point south of Verdun. By the junction of the 
two forces the triangle was to be reduced to a 
single line. The aim of our auxiliary efforts was 
to assist the initial assault by neutralizing the 
enemy's defense through the use of smoke, ther- 
mite, high explosive, and gas, and later to further 
the progress of the battle by using Stokes mor- 
tars to furnish smoke screens and to attack ma- 
chine-gun positions. 

With this general scheme in view, our prepara- 
tions began early in September. Since there was 
need for the first time that every platoon of every 




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THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 117 

company should be prepared to use Stokes mor- 
tars, the first essential was to give additional 
training to those units whose previous work had 
been chiefly with projectors. Systematic drills 
began at once, especially for Companies E and 
F, and every effort was made to place all the units 
on as even a footing as the diversity of their past 
experience would permit. Only B and D Com- 
panies — veterans of Chateau-Thierry — had any 
great practical knowledge of the type of warfare 
we were undertaking ; and of these B was still in a 
distant sector. Yet the later records of the various 
companies showed a far higher average, with less 
variety, than conditions would have led us to 
expect. 

One form which our self-training took, served 
also to educate some of the units with which we 
were soon to cooperate. On several occasions, 
near Vaucouleurs and at other points closer to 
the front, our platoons gave sample exhibitions of 
mortars in action, displaying thermite and stag- 
ing smoke-screens. The last of these "shows" 
was before one of the assaulting battalions of the 
Eighty-ninth Division, which a few days later we 
aided in the fight. 

While mortar drills and frequent inspections 
were being carried out in the rear, the company 
commanders and platoon leaders were busy with 



ii8 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

reconnaissance at the front. Close study of "in- 
telligence" data and of operation orders already 
issued, helped to prepare us for the coming day. 
A week before that day active preparations be- 
gan at the chosen positions. Guns and ammuni- 
tion had to be transported and stored and the in- 
stalling of projectors commenced. These days and 
nights of travel and of labor were attended by 
the usual dangers of a front then more unquiet 
than usual. Lieutenant Richardson, during recon- 
naissance, was wounded ; on other occasions several 
men also suffered slight wounds ; and many others 
underwent frequent shelling and narrow escapes. 
The most trying feature of these days, however, 
was not the action of the enemy, to which most of 
our men were cheerfully accustomed, but rather 
the abominable weather that prevailed almost con- 
tinuously and the frequent and intolerable traffic 
blockades which jammed the roads. Ditches every- 
where were decorated each morning with dead 
trucks — disasters often hard to avoid when driv- 
ing through rain and mud in inky darkness. 

The final step in getting ready was taken on the 
9th and loth of September, when the companies 
all moved to forward billets — in Pont-^-Mousson, 
Limey, Grosrouvres, and other villages, or in handy 
dugouts close to their area of action. Operating 
from there on the nights of September 10 and 11 



,THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 119 

the platoons made their final preparations, wir- 
ing projectors, preparing bombs, and setting up 
Stokes mortars. Everywhere the workers were 
hard pressed to be ready in time, for congested 
roads had spoiled schedules and black nights of 
rain impeded work. The gathering masses of the 
infantry added further confusion. But here there 
was compensation. To be side by side with the in- 
fantry, ready to share in their advance, was for 
most of our men an experience new and inspiring. 
The dawn of September 12 found many of our 
platoons in the muddy front line trenches crowded 
in with their mortars among the "doughboys," 
eager for the long-awaited "zero." 

At one o'clock on the morning of September 12, 
along the entire salient, began an artillery bom- 
bardment which for volume and intensity had 
never been exceeded. Weapons of every caliber 
— from huge naval guns to machine-guns — were 
given a share, and continued their fire with in- 
creasing intensity until "zero" at five.^ At that 
hour our guns opened up ; and from one end of the 
front to the other, projectors and mortars launched 
their attack in a series of striking ' ' shows. ' ' To re- 
count their details makes a catalogue that is long 
and perhaps dull. But as seen and lived through, 

* For the Second Battalion in the Fifth Corps "zero" was at 

8 A.M. 



120 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

most of it was over in a few moments — all of it 
within an hour; and those crowded minutes were 
full of brilliance and excitement. 

To follow the line from east to west, Company 
C on the extreme right (between Pont-a-Moqs- 
son and Fey-en-Haye) executed nine operations. 
Of these four were smoke screens (thrown by two 
mortars each), two to assist the advance of the 
Eighty-second Division, and two in front of the 
Ninetieth. Three of these were maintained for 45 
and one for 20 minutes. Beginning at the same mo- 
ment, three sets of "fake flashes" were set off, to 
simulate a projector gas attack. These were in 
two groups of 25 each and one of 75. Two genuine 
projector attacks were also made, both in the 
Ninetieth Division area. From one emplacement 
75 high explosive drums were discharged and from 
another 25. 

Company E (less one platoon) had planned four 
"shows." The first of these, with the Fifth Divi- 
sion, was canceled by order of the infantry Battal- 
ion Commander too late to make any substitute 
possible. The three remaining were smoke screens 
(one accompanied by thermite), protecting about 
three kilometers of the advancing line north of 
Limey. Company F (less one platoon), using two 
mortars, threw a smoke screen from a point east 
of the Bois de Jury. 



THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 121 

Company A's operation with the First Division, 
not proving necessary, had been canceled; but 
three other operations were carried out. Of these 
one was a 30-gun projector attack throwing ther- 
mite against machine-gun emplacements in front 
of the Bois du Sonnard, and another, just to the 
left, was a 2-gun smoke screen. The third was 
really a triple performance — the only instance of 
its kind in this action. Four Stokes mortars, car- 
ried behind the infantry, were set up three times 
(north of Seicheprey) and were thus able to fur- 
nish a progressive smoke screen covering two 
kilometers of front. 

After the first hour of the battle, the only further 
operation was carried out by one platoon of Com- 
pany C, which supplied a smoke screen at 6 p.m. 
on September 13, giving successful aid in conceal- 
ing a raid north of Pont-^-Mousson. 

While the First Battalion was thus cooperating 
with the First and Fourth Corps, Company D 
(with its platoons from E and F) had been assist- 
ing the Twenty-sixth Division and the French 
Fifth Colonial Division in the Fifth Corps, which 
had been moving from the west side of the salient. 
The initial attack ^ of these six platoons in the 
Second Battalion was very varied, comprising no 
less than ten distinct operations. Their purpose 
^ * Near Les Eparges and the Bois les Eparges. 



122 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

and distribution, in general, were similar to those 
of the First Battalion; but a much greater use 
was made of thermite. Though one smoke screen 
was developed at "H" hour, greater dependence 
was placed upon attacks on specific machine-gun 
nests, many of which had been accurately located. 
With these as targets, i6 Stokes mortars, chiefly 
in couples, carried out thermite bombardments on 
seven different enemy emplacements. There were, 
in addition, one group of 45 projectors and another 
of 50 which fired high explosive drums upon four 
separate targets. With so complete a plan as this, 
little that was sensitive or dangerous in the hostile 
front line escaped our attentions. Yet the German 
resistance was greater than at any point on the 
southern sector, and our platoons were conse- 
quently called upon for ten actions subsequent to 
"zero." ^ These were executed by Company D's 
second platoon which advanced with the loist 
Infantry and attacked machine-gun nests with 
heavy smoke bombs. In each case the severe fire 
of the enemy ceased as soon as the first bomb 
landed, and the infantry were able to advance 
to the capture of all the gUns and crews. ^ 

This brief account supplies a summary of all 
that the regiment achieved in strictly military 

^ Near St. Remy. 

2 Sergeant Brantley, with part of the platoon, captured seven 
prisoners. 



THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 123 

results. It is the story of what was our actual value. 
We had originally planned to follow up the in- 
fantry advance and to repeat our attacks as the 
need arose. That we were unable, with the few 
exceptions noted, to do any "post-zero" work, is 
due not to our own fault, but to the efficiency and 
good fortune of the Army. In these offensives our 
gateway to usefulness opened and shut automati- 
cally. If the infantry were checked by prolonged 
enemy resistance, we could carry forward in time 
to help them. When they were not so checked and 
we failed to keep pace with them, they did not 
need our help. In the St. Mihiel drive, the latter 
was the case. The Army encountered not merely 
far less resistance than it had planned for, but 
even far less than it had genuinely expected. 
Compared with what might have been, the ad- 
vance was a "walk-over." The movement was sur- 
prisingly rapid, and almost exactly according to 
plan. For this reason our later chances to act were 
few; but in each case they were promptly and 
profitably taken. 

Our value to the Army in its initial assault is 
fortunately not a matter for guessing. A confiden- 
tial publication issued by General Headquarters 
and containing some severe criticisms of many 
phases of technique throughout this battle, in- 
cludes the following comments: 



124 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

"Gas companies with the first line divisions 
made effective use of their mortars in throwing 
smoke shells. Hostile positions which were to be 
turned were thus screened at ranges of 200 to 
500 yards, and passage of wire and the bridging of 
streams were successfully done under cover of 
their smoke. This use of smoke should be contin- 
ued and extended. The gas companies also in some 
cases made use of thermite shells in overcoming 
machine-gun nests. The moral effect of their hquid 
fire proved to be very great." 

More specific gratitude was expressed by the 
commanding officer of the Sixth French Colo- 
nial Infantry in the following letter, amplified by 
Major Carlock's endorsement.^ The achieve- 
ments of which it speaks may be considered typi- 
cal of the work of many other platoons: 

[Translation] 

6th Colonial Infantry Regiment 

No. 1506 

From: Colonel Chevalier, Commanding the 6th 

Colonial Infantry Regiment. 
To: Colonel commanding the Infantry of the 15th 

Colonial Division. 
I am requesting that the "Croix de Guerre" citation 
by the Army Corps be granted to the American Lieu- 
tenant Commanding the group of "projectors" who 

1 For citations see Appendix E. 



THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 125 

was supporting the attack by the 5th Colonial (at 
N — i) of the Crete des Eparges. 

This ofificer established his liaison several times dur- 
ing the attack with the Captain commanding the as- 
saulting troops, and he came himself to explain his 
mission and get to him information, offering his serv- 
ices to support the maneuver. 

I am requesting that several Croix de Guerre (Di- 
vision, Brigade, Regiment) be granted to his men. 

I do not know the name of this officer nor that of his 
men. The number of this group or the authority from 
which it depends are also unknown to me. 

The help of this unit has largely favored the prog- 
ress of the regiment and contributed to a large extent 
to the taking of the Crete des Eparges. 

Signed : Chevalier 

Hq., 2d Bn., ist Gas Regiment, 2d Ind. A.E.F., 
September 29th, 1918. — To Commanding 
General, 5th Corps, U.S. Army, American E.F. 

1. Lieutenant D. M. Johnston with forty men in- 
stalled and fired the projectors in the attack on Crete 
des Eparges, Sept. 12, 1918. 

2. Several enlisted men have been recommended for 
their efficiency and coolness during the preparations 
and actual discharge. 

3. Recommend that the following list of names be 
submitted to the French officials: 

Second Lieutenant Johnston, Duncan 

McArthur, Company " F " 

Master Engineer Ahrens, Clyde W., 2d Bn. Hq. 
Acting First Sergeant Lomuller, Victor, 

Company "D" 
Sergeant Spiers, Charles M., Company "F" 

Corporal Hyatt, Charles S., Company "D" 



126 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Private First Class Stauffer, 

Edwin S., Company "D" 

Corporal Ferguson, Ray S., Company "D" 

Signed : J. B. Carlock, 

Major, 1st Gas Regiment, 

Commanding 

Turning now from our actual value to our po- 
tential value, the reckoning of what we might have 
done and should have done had occasion offered 
may in one sense be a matter of judgment and 
theory. But in another sense, it is really the story 
of four days more of strain and effort, filled with 
carrying and reconnoitering, with watching and 
waiting. 

The first of these days was saddened by the news 
of our losses. At "zero" hour Lieutenant Cordes, 
while observing the discharge of his projectors, 
was severely wounded by a shell fragment. As 
soon as possible he was carried to a dressing-station 
and later moved to a field hospital. But he rapidly 
lost consciousness, and died within a few hours. 
The following day he was buried with military 
honors at the cemetery at Saizerais. During nine 
months in Company C, Cordes had won, by his 
unusually high character, not only the respect but 
the unqualified devotion of officers and men. Every 
tribute a soldier would be proud to win was paid 
him genuinely and eagerly, for as an officer he 



THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 127 

had been a model of thoroughness and efficiency, 
and as a friend, his uniform courtesy and kindness 
were gratefully remembered. We have been the 
poorer for losing him, and we have missed him 
steadily. 

An equally heavy loss came to Company D in 
the death of Lieutenant H. C. Williams. After 
the first action on September 12 he went forward 
to reconnoiter. He was seriously wounded, and 
after an operation in a hospital, died the following 
day. The news, however, did not reach his com- 
pany until the i6th. Williams had been assigned 
to Company D in June, and had seen action 
through all the Chateau-Thierry offensive. He was 
everywhere admired and trusted as a leader. His 
devotion and courage had made him invaluable in 
the field, and the combination in his character of 
solid worth and whole-souled good-fellowship had 
multiplied the number of his friends. 

These were our only two deaths in the battle, 
for our casualties had been surprisingly light. 
On the first day five men were slightly wounded, 
and during the four days thereafter, eleven more 
men were added — mostly gas cases in Com- 
pany C. 

While the days between September 12 and 16 
brought forth little that appears on our table of 
operations, they were none the less full of novelty. 



128 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

incident, and effort. Our Stokes mortar platoons 
undertook the task of following the infantry, 
keeping in touch with their commanders and 
making ready to help. There are few things more 
easily said and less easily done. The mere carry- 
ing is an achievement in itself unless you happen 
(as did Lieutenant Noble's platoon) to find Boche 
prisoners to work for you. The mortars and am- 
munition had constantly to be brought forward, 
sometimes a total of eight miles from the first em- 
placement. The maintenance of "liaison," too, 
was inevitably hard when movement was rapid, 
and when almost no one ever knew the location of 
any one else. Time and again platoons moved 
ahead with their double load over difficult ground, 
and at the end they returned with their weapons 
unused. Yet such penalties we were more than 
ready to pay for a successful drive. And even with 
our specialties unrequired, we were still able to be 
of assistance in other ways. Nearly everywhere 
our men and the infantry were on terms of cor- 
diality and mutual admiration. On the first morn- 
ing it was not easy for the men to resist joining 
them en masse as the first wave went over; but 
in this way we lost no enthusiasts except a few who 
had gone astray the night before and who were 
able for a while to work with rifle and bayonet. 
More legitimate chances to help were later taken 



THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 129 

gallantly. Lieutenant Colledge, after returning 
from a dangerous reconnaissance behind the enemy 
front line, left his dugout during a heavy bombard- 
ment (in company with Privates Gregg, Fuller- 
ton, and Jennings) and rescued two wounded men 
abandoned by their own unit. On the afternoon 
of C Company's show (September 13) near Pont- 
^-Mousson, Lieutenant Everett and Sergeant 
Schurr worked in the midst of a severe barrage, 
saving the lives of many wounded by prompt 
first-aid, and transporting the worst cases to the 
nearest dressing-station.^ 

The strain of our first great advance as a regi- 
ment was lightened by the novelty of the occasion. 
For most of the companies the experience of fol- 
lowing a victorious advance was a new and strik- 
ing change from the duller days of trench warfare. 
Especially when the troops pressed on into terri- 
tory that had been peacefully German a few hours 
before, there was both much to see and much to 
take. In the current lingo there were "beaucoup 
souvenirs." Boche helmets, "Gott mit Uns" belt 
buckles, "Luger" pistols, and an infinite number 
of minor knick-knacks, were everywhere promptly 
discovered and readily acquired. The rage for 
trophies only slowly subsided as the difficulties 

^ For which they were subsequently recommended for the 
D.S.C. 



130 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

of transportation gradually dawned upon the 
owners. The Boche not only left his property at 
our disposal. Often he abandoned comfortable 
homes and even ample rations. On the very first 
day our men found themselves in quarters toward 
which they had once peered cautiously across "No 
Man's Land" — sleeping in enemy beds, drinking 
enemy bottled goods, and smoking enemy cigars. 
Boche rations were ever5rwhere popular. In the 
villages, too, there were pleasures for the victor. 
At Vilcey and Beney and other liberated towns 
the Americans were overwhelmed with cordial 
welcome, and a few platoons were able to enjoy 
real beds with pillows and sheets and genuine 
dinners of chicken and rabbits and German beer. 
These rarities were relished more greedily but less 
gratefully than the hot lunches served at many 
points by the Red Cross and Salvation Army 
girls. They were but little behind the second wave, 
and were everywhere prompt and courageous in 
giving food and cheer and in caring for the 
wounded. 

The most brilHant discovery, however, was 
made by D Company in St. Maurice. Our truck 
transportation, wonderfully handled by Master 
Engineer Ahrens, was ahead of any other in that 
sector; and some of our men were the first to enter 
St. Maurice. There they discovered a Boche theater, 



THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION 131 

complete with electric lights, club rooms, box 
seats, and "movie" machines. Much more inter- 
esting from a military standpoint was the oppor- 
tunity given to part of A Company to witness the 
French assault on the famous Montsec. That hill 
was accounted the last word in modern fortifica- 
tions; but after four hours of bombardment, and 
in connection with a perfectly conducted barrage, 
the French were able to surround the base and to 
capture all the works before the Germans had 
time to emerge from their deep and luxurious 
dugouts. 

The St. Mihiel offensive may be said to have 
ended by September 15, for the front then began 
to stabilize. This operation had been rumored and 
heralded for weeks beforehand, with little success- 
ful attempt at concealment. The next great move, 
however, was planned and executed v/ith almost 
complete secrecy. Just as our men were wondering 
whether the first drive was over, and whether 
Metz was to become an objective, they were 
caught up in the new plans of the Army. The four 
companies of the First Battalion were suddenly 
withdrawn on September 16, and spent one 
crowded night together in the camp at Lagney. 
The next evening Companies A and F set out 
upon a four nights' march toward parts unknown. 
Though we were not aware of it at the time, the 



132 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

entire First Army was being rapidly shifted (mostly 
under cover of darkness) to its new field of action. 
The detachment marched by night, half of the 
time in the rain, and secured what rest it could 
by day. The route led through Sorcy, Larouville, 
and Pierrefitte — our halting places ; and the jour- 
ney ended in the Verdun sector, on the cold 
morning of September 20, with A company quar- 
tered in "pup" tents in the Bois Bourrus and F 
in the Foret de Hesse. Companies C and E had 
meanwhile been forwarded by truck; Company B 
had arrived earlier from the Vesle sector; and 
Company D had already been operating in that 
region. The entire regiment was then at last to- 
gether. Disciplined and educated by our latest 
experience, through which officers and men had 
displayed admirable spirit, we were ready now 
for our last and greatest task. 



CHAPTER VIII 

THE ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 

THE FIRST PHASE 

(September 26 to October 3) 

The second great offensive of the American First 
Army, to which our regiment was still assigned, 
is known as the "Argonne-Meuse Operation." 
The front covered by the Army was approximately 
from a point near the Meuse east of Verdun to a 
point midway in the Argonne Forest. To under- 
take this operation had become possible only 
after the flattening of the St. Mihiel salient — an 
achievement which made feasible the proper se- 
curity of our new right flank. The aim of the drive 
was to play our part in the wider plans of Marshal 
Foch by attempting the highly difficult mission 
of pressing northward along the Meuse-Argonne 
front to cut the Mezieres-Metz railroad — one of 
the two vital lines of communication for all the 
German forces westward. No task assigned to any 
of the allied armies was heavier or more important. 
On a miniature scale, it is not too much to say 
that no task assigned to any other regiment was 
more heavy than ours. With six companies, de- 
pleted by growing casualties and by the need to 
maintain transportation, and with transportation 



134 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

itself inadequate, we were called upon to cover 
an entire army front, and to conduct a half a 
dozen different types of operations under an infi- 
nite variety of conditions. During the seven weeks 
of fighting, in spite of every obstacle, the regiment 
succeeded in playing this novel and arduous role 
with a record of eighty-four operations executed 
and with the reward of high praise from the Army 
Staff. 

To carry out our mission, Regimental Head- 
quarters was established at Lemmes, where Colonel 
Atkisson and Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford could 
maintain prompt connections with the battalions 
on the one hand, and on the other with Army 
Headquarters at the neighboring town of Souilly. 
The main dump was close by at Lempire. The regi- 
ment was organized into three battalions of two 
companies each — the First (Companies C and 
E), the Second (Companies B and D) and the 
Provisional (Companies A and F). During the 
preparatory week and the first two days of action 
the commanders were, respectively, Captain Akers, 
Major Carlock, and Captain Berlin. After Sep- 
tember 27, the three battalions were under Cap- 
tain Lowenberg,^ Major Carlock, and Major Page. 
These changes, as well as many others within the 
companies, were made necessary by the departure 

^ Commissioned Major October 22. 



^lu^— , (y . 



% 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 135 

for America of twelve of our officers — dispatched 
for the purpose of training the remaining bat- 
talions of the regiment.^ The loss of these men, 
with that of ten others sent later, was a severe 
handicap which placed a heavier burden on those 
officers who remained. ^ But we were able to over- 
come it partly through their resolute aid, and 
partly through the high character and ability of 
our non-commissioned officers. We had sustained, 
too, a previous loss on September 16, when Major 
Watson was ordered to report for duty on the 
Staff of the First Corps. Through some of the hard- 
est days of our pioneering in two great offensives 
we had owed much to his electrical energy and 
wonderful endurance. We can tell how much we 
missed him; but as to what ability we were los- 
ing, we may refer to his subsequent career as Lieu- 
tenant Colonel on the First Corps Staff and as 
Assistant Chief of Staff of the Third Army — ar- 
duous positions in which he won high praise. 

The scheme of distribution for the battle was 
to assign each battalion to a corps. The First 
Battalion was assigned to the First Corps, the 

* These were expected to reach France during November; but 
the signing of the armistice canceled their departure. 

* The companies, in order, were commanded by Captains Pond, 
Perris, Lowenberg (later Lieutenants Webster, Paine, and Bed- 
dall), Steidle, Dayton, and Carson. September 30 Captain Feeley 
took command of Company F and October 6 Captain Morgan 
took command of Company A. 



136 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Second to the Fifth, and the Provisional to the 
Third. Their headquarters, as well as those of 
their corps, were, respectively, at Rarecourt, 
Ville-sur-Cousances, and Souhesmes. Within the 
corps, the Seventy-seventh Division took two 
platoons of E, the Twenty-eighth Division two 
platoons of E, and the Thirty-fifth Division all 
of Company C. To the Ninety-first Division were 
assigned three platoons of Company B, to the 
Thirty-seventh Division one platoon of B and 
one of D, and to the Seventy- ninth Division 
three platoons of D. Company F worked with 
the Eightieth Division and Company A with 
the Thirty- third. Such was the initial "line-up," 
subject later to the frequent shifting of divisions. 
By September 21 the greater part of the First 
Army had assembled swiftly and silently within 
its assigned area ; and two weeks after beginning 
its first drive, was ready to start its second. During 
the days between the 20th and 26th the roads 
everywhere were crowded with masses of traffic — 
troops and trucks, artillery and supply-trains — 
moving mostly at night and gathering gradually 
at the points from which to strike. To insure the 
secrecy necessary for surprise, the sector was not 
taken over from the French until the last moment 
before the attack. The transition was made sud- 
denly from a quiet line thinly held by French 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 137 

troops to a battle front backed by the full force of 
the American Army. 

Under these conditions, and with but a few- 
days in which to work, our commanders conducted 
their reconnaissance — often in French uniforms. 
Working henceforward on a literal twenty-four- 
hour basis, our trucks with their indefatigable 
drivers transported all the needed ammunition 
to forward dumps. And finally the twenty-four 
platoons were distributed in billets close to the 
front — in French dugouts, in shattered villages, 
and in huts in the woods. In accordance with 
definite projects already worked out, the guns 
were dug in, bombs prepared, and wiring com- 
pleted. Conditions of weather had been more 
favorable than during the previous two weeks, and 
the enemy molested us scarcely at all ; but the in- 
evitable hurry of our preparations made necessary 
much eleventh-hour activity. 

By the evening of September 25, all the men 
were standing by at their forward positions ready 
for the "zero" that had been announced for the 
following morning. At 1 1 p.m. began the first ar- 
tillery action. To make ready for this destruction, 
the artillery (both French and American) had 
been massing for days beforehand. The concen- 
tration of guns broke all records. The woods on 
every hand were full of them ; some divisions had 



138 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

over 500 " seventy- fives " ; and the heavy cannon 
were crowded forward in unparalleled numbers. 
The chorus of their fire began gradually. The first 
two hours were largely devoted to gas shelling. 
But by 1.30 the entire front was one roar of bom- 
bardment. Everywhere, around and behind our 
platoons, the air echoed the sharp crack of the 
"seventy-fives," with the strident singing of their 
shells, and the woods glowed with the flashes of 
the big howitzers, and shook with their noise. 
At length, with a mist lying along the whole front, 
"zero" hour dawned, and the fight was on. 

At the instant of "zero" (5.30 a.m.) our com- 
panies, all along the line, launched sixteen sepa- 
rate attacks. Two of these were projector attacks 
with high explosive bombs. All the others were 
either strictly smoke barrages, or combinations of 
smoke and thermite. Two groups of mortars, in 
addition to smoke and thermite, used deceptive 
gas bombs. Even with a background so deadly 
serious, none could help marking the magnificent 
scenic effect of these "shows" — the red flash 
and dull roar of the projectors and the brilliant 
fire-works of the bursting bombs of smoke and 
thermite. Practically speaking, these initial bom- 
bardments were no less effective. Inspection later 
showed that the high explosive bombs had done 
terrific execution in German dugouts and trenches. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 139 

Nearly everywhere, behind the smoke screens, the 
infantry advanced with httle opposition. In some 
places, it is true, resistance occurred. In others, 
our smoke screens caused some dismay and tem- 
porary confusion among our own infantry, who 
thought they were being gassed. Then, too, the 
enemy had planned for but slight resistance during 
the first few hours and had largely evacuated the 
area for two or three miles behind the first-line 
trenches. But machine gunners had been left be- 
hind in plenty, and our direct hits on their em- 
placements, together with our protective screens 
(blending as they did with the morning fog), 
largely crippled the efficiency of the defense. Nor 
was this our opinion alone. Many infantry com- 
manders bore grateful tribute to the fact; and, 
best of all, a German ofhcer, later in the day, testi- 
fied to one of our officers (little knowing his spe- 
cialty) that had it not been for the double screen of 
mist heavily reinforced by smoke, his men could 
have done far greater execution. 

The first part of our work was successfully fin- 
ished, with next to no losses; but ahead of us were 
still the hardest hours and the most severe trials. 
Once again our mission was to advance with the 
infantry, to keep in touch with its leaders, and 
to fire when needed. "Carrying" and "following- 
up" for the men, "reconnaissance" and "liaison" 



140 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

for the officers, and "functioning" for all — these 
were the watchwords during the ensuing weeks. 
It would be neither possible nor profitable to 
continue with an exact account of the movements 
and actions of every platoon even during the first 
phase. To do so would end in much repetition, 
varied only by a sprinkling of unintelligible map 
"coordinates." We can best paint the picture as 
a whole ; we can more nearly reproduce the " feel " 
of these days as we lived through them, by sum- 
marizing the general results, by recalling the con- 
ditions under which they were achieved, and by 
treating more in detail a few of the actions that 
were typical or striking. 

After "H" hour on September 26 no further 
operations were executed that day by Com- 
panies E, C, or B. Their platoons advanced, usu- 
ally in the wake of the infantry, sometimes even in 
advance of the first wave; and the laborious work 
of carrying went on all day. The still more wear- 
ing duty of maintaining "liaison" was likewise 
attempted. On that first day, however, " liaison " 
was a lost art throughout most of the army. As a 
major-general once remarked, the great question 
for a commander in a fight is, "Where the hell 
are my men?" And there were many who were 
long in finding the answer. If it was hard to keep 
track of one's own unit, it was doubly hard to 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 141 

keep in touch with others. When artillery colonels 
could be found riding about asking privates where 
this or that "P.C." could be found, it is not sur- 
prising that our little platoons occasionally lost 
connection with the headquarters of the larger 
bodies which they were eager to serve. Company 
commanders could sometimes scarcely locate their 
own platoons that were only small groups among 
tens of thousands. Then, too, the chances to 
shoot were often dependent less upon the energy 
and readiness of the platoon leaders than upon 
the obstacles which the infantry encountered. 
The rapidity and ease of progress varied from 
sector to sector. 

Side by side with the wear and tear of the real 
work went the usual avocation of souvenir hunt- 
ing, for which the American soldier was seldom 
too desperate or too busy. German rations, too, 
including beer and wine, were found in plenty, 
and many of the troops slept that night in Boche 
dugouts under Boche blankets. But much of the 
gayety of the St. Mihiel adventure was dimmed, 
as the first day went on, by the sight of the grow- 
ing casualties. With so many of the roads jammed 
with fighting material, and the early advance so 
extended, many of the wounded lay unattended 
for long hours, and still more never reached the 
dressing-stations until one or two days later. 



142 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

On the day of the first assault it was Companies 
A, F, and D which had opportunities for "shows" 
subsequent to 5.30 A.M. A Company executed one 
thermite bombardment with two Stokes mortars; 
but F with four attacks and D with five went 
through more extended adventures. Following up 
their infantry battalions, F Company platoons set 
up their guns three times, and quickly and ef- 
fectively silenced some obstinate groups of enemy 
machine-guns. Not content, however, with dis- 
playing their specialty nor dismayed at having 
used up all their ammunition, our men five times 
took up the infantry's job with ready zeal. Lieu- 
tenant Shockley, with twelve volunteers and some 
lost "dough-boys," cleaned out the Bois d'en 
delcl, and captured the occupants of one machine- 
gun nest, while Lieutenant Blanchard took six 
prisoners in another. In this same sector, when 
the infantry were checked by another active ma- 
chine-gun, the major in command called for vol- 
unteers to secure its capture. Corporal Dakin^ 
and Private G. A. Nelson ^ stepped forward at 
once, and working through the woods to the 
rear of the enemy, killed two of them and drove 
the rest away. A little later Corporal Harding 
and Private John Mellish outflanked a similar 
position and shot the gun-crews. At another 
^ Awarded the D.S.C. See Appendix E. 





COM 



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■^^^^^■^I^^^^^^^^^^B^ '^ShB^ r^^^^^^^^^^^ 






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TSW* 


-- ' /'""'-^■- V . ' .J_ , . ■_ , „ : , ■ '. , 




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Courtesj- of Muglies ik Estabrook, N.Y. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 143 

point Lieutenant Trammell advanced alone, and 
at the point of his pistol captured ten machine- 
gunners. 

During this time Company D's experiences had 
been less dramatic but more costly. The fourth 
platoon followed the 145th Infantry; and after 
many of the latter had been lost in fruitless at- 
tacks upon several machine-gun nests, our men 
were called upon for a smoke screen which enabled 
the infantry to capture the positions easily. Heavy 
fire in the afternoon caused the infantry to with- 
draw from the valley south of Montfaucon. To 
help them back, the fourth platoon, after ammuni- 
tion had been brought up with great difficulty, 
fired 30 rounds of thermite. The enemy could 
easily be seen running from his positions, but the 
infantry did not advance. Further to the right, 
near the Montfaucon- Avocourt road, the second 
platoon, taking the infantry's punishment of ma- 
chine-gun fire, advanced with the 313th Regi- 
ment, and shot ten rounds of thermite against 
some "pill-boxes" from which the hostile gun- 
crews had been causing very heavy casualties. 
With no further trouble an infantry platoon rushed 
the nests and captured their occupants. In the 
evening another battalion of the same regiment 
made an advance with very few casualties behind 
one of our smoke screens ; and the next morning, 



144 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

with another "show," we helped them to take the 
first defenses of Montfaucon. But we had mean- 
time paid the price. Privates Cans and Shields 
were killed near their guns, and on the following 
day were buried where they fell. On the same day, 
too, in another action. Private Mitchell was killed 
and Private McAlpine of Company B. These four 
were our only deaths in the first twelve days of 
the battle. 

On the second day of the drive, in addition to 
the operation of Company D already noted, four 
others were executed — two by Company E and 
one each by C and F. Company F established a 
smoke screen on the River Meuse to blot out enemy 
observation and to assist in the consolidation of 
the line. Two gun teams of Company E, working 
with the 306th Infantry, were called to cooperate 
with the artillery for the purpose of supporting 
an attack on the St. Hubert Pavilion in the Ar- 
gonne. At 5 p.m. a barrage of smoke was laid down 
and 30 rounds of thermite shot ; but the infantry 
failed to attack. The next morning, however, we 
fired some more thermite, and this time the in- 
fantry attained its objective without opposition 
from our targets. Equal success attended a bom- 
bardment by Company C on September 27, when 
machine-gunners at the edge of Charpentry were 
put out of action by thermite bombs, and the in- 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 145 

fantry subsequently took the town. After spend- 
ing the next day in Charpentry, Company C at- 
tacked some further targets near Exermont; but 
though the infantry advanced, they were later 
forced back. Two of our guns then had to be aban- 
doned, though the breech-blocks were taken with 
us and one gun was subsequently recovered. In 
addition to this action the 29th witnessed four 
other operations. Five bombs from one of E's guns 
in the Bois de la Grurie demolished a machine- 
gun which had been holding up a whole battalion, 
while further east, near Montblainville, men from 
another platoon fired upon some targets in a 
densely wooded hill, without being able to facili- 
tate the infantry advance. During the same day, 
Company B's first platoon carried out two "shows" 
in connection with the 147th and 148th Infantry. 
The former, having asked for a smoke screen to 
flank the village of Cierges, was relieved on the 
night of the 28th by the 148th — a change of 
which we were not advised. The plans of the new 
assaulting battalion were different, and necessi- 
tated changing our angle of fire and securing more 
ammunition. We were given no time to procure 
additional bombs, but undertook the operation 
with the 15 rounds available. Later in the day 
the same platoon, after assisting another bat- 
talion (near the Bois Emont) to advance with little 



146 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

difficulty, was rewarded with the report of the 
officer in charge that the operation had been a 
great success. 

Save for a thermite bombardment of hostile 
dugouts by two guns of Company E, there was no 
action on September 30 or October i. On October 
2 at 11.30 P.M. Company F carried out our first 
gas attack in this battle. Fifty-six projectors dis- 
charged phosgene bombs upon Vilosnes, calling 
down severe retaliation upon the rear of our bat- 
tery positions and preventing our infantry from 
encouraging a second projector "show." ^ The 
remaining operations before the close of the first 
phase (October 2 and 3) were executed by Com- 
pany E. An attack upon machine-guns in the 
Bois d'Apremont by men from the second and 
third platoons was to assist an infantry advance 
which never materialized. At the same time two 
other teams, who had carried their guns up a 
precipitous ascent in the dark, fired 90 rounds of 
smoke and thermite. The result was a slight 
advance, though the following day an even heavier 
bombardment failed to prepare the way for a raid 
planned by the iiith Infantry. 

1 To show how far this attack echoed, we may refer to the 
Clarksburg (W.Va.) Daily Telegram of October 4, which under the 
headlines "Americans launch great gas attack," announces that 
"a successful gas attack was made by the Americans on this front 
yesterday, at Vilosnes, on the Meuse, above Dannevoux." 





COM 






.1 lluijliL-s 6: Kjtabrook, X.V. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 147 

By a somewhat artificial division, the day of 
these actions, October 3, marks the end of the 
first phase of the Argonne-Meuse Operation. The 
conclusion of this period of eight days gives an 
opportunity to review not only the work of the 
Army, but also, in greater detail, the experiences 
of our own regiment. 

After September 26, when the advance was 
rapid, the Army made little progress during the 
ensuing week. In fact, even the fighting of the next 
month did hardly more than double the first long 
strides. Though hand-to-hand combats broke out 
fiercely in places, they played a small part in the 
actions. Most of the resistance encountered was 
from machine-guns and artillery. In great quanti- 
ties these were cleverly concealed and skillfully and 
aggressively utilized. The front along our advance, 
lightly held for some time past, had already been 
reinforced before the attack; and from the first 
day onward heavy reinforcements were contin- 
ually added. Before the end of the war over forty 
divisions had been thrown in to defeat our drive. 
Indeed, no more determined or desperate opposi- 
tion faced any army during these final weeks. To 
overcome it, we too used a large part of our avail- 
able resources. There were few divisions fit for 
such work that did not at one time or another see 
action. Not a few of these, including some which 



148 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

began the battle, were untried, and had to win 
their experience as they went. Mistakes were eas- 
ily noted and frankly admitted ; and even disap- 
pointment was a passing phase. But while we were 
aware that our army was new and not faultless, we 
knew that in the long run it was invincible. Con- 
fidence in ultimate victory and admiration for the 
dogged energy with which it was pursued were 
therefore uppermost. And even during these ear- 
liest weeks the background of the world war 
brought us added hope and enthusiasm. AlHed 
victories in Macedonia and Palestine, the British 
capture of Cambrai, and the collapse of Bulgaria 
— these were the great events of the time. 

In cooperating with the Army during this phase, 
our own share of work had been large. After the 
sixteen operations at "H" hour, twenty-six more 
were carried out before October 4 — a total of 
forty-two, which represents half of the number of 
our "shows" in the entire offensive. But when 
this record from the formal report is stated, only 
half the story is told. History with any human 
feelings must take account of what we attempted, 
what we encountered, and what we endured. 

In the first place, operations not executed often 
entail as much labor and skill as those that are 
reported. On at least six occasions in the first few 
days (three times, for instance, with Company B), 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 149 

platoons went through the stages of reconnais- 
sance, hasty carrying, and emplacement, only to 
find that the operation had been canceled. Some- 
times targets had been wrongly reported; some- 
times the plans of the infantry changed; more 
often some new wave of the advance captured or 
encircled the point at which we were aiming. At 
times these abortive attempts were due only to 
the fortunes of war, at others the failure of "liai- 
son "was responsible. Infantry commanders were 
not accustomed to cooperating with odd units 
like ours, and since we were literally "assigned" 
to divisions and brigades, we were frequently at 
the mercy of very local authorities. As the tech- 
nique of employing gas troops was brand new, it 
is not surprising that trouble occasionally arose. 
In several instances, for example, our leaders were 
not notified of the progress of reliefs or of other 
movements of troops ; and once two of our gun 
teams found themselves isolated far in front of a 
retiring line of the infantry. Men vary widely in 
their capacity to meet novel situations and to 
utilize new instruments, and our lieutenants and 
captains naturally encountered in infantry com- 
manders every variety of attitude and method. 
In most cases they readily caught the point of 
smoke screens and thermite. But gas could seldom 
get a hearing. Only one small gas operation 



150 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

marked the first eight days, and it took weeks to 
make that percentage increase as it ought. Many 
an officer was afraid of the very name of gas, for 
to soldiers trained in gas defense alone, gas is 
merely something to avoid. Our work, too, was not 
made easier by the fact that we could never take 
the initiative in actual combat. Always our duty 
was contingent; we had to watch and scheme how 
to fit in with the infantry. On the whole, however, 
as we look back, such difficulties, exasperating 
enough at the time, were inevitable parts of the 
process of learning a big new game together under 
stress of battle. 

While we were encouraging the infantry to use 
our specialties, we often found it possible to help 
them in other ways.^ Our story has already in- 

^ Headquarters First Battalion 
First Gas Regiment 
American Expeditionary Forces 
28 October 191 8 
Memorandum to Colonel Atkisson: 

1. As showing the spirit of the First Gas Regiment in being at 
all times willing and ready to render assistance in any form to 
other arms, I believe the following is of interest: 

2. I heard several of the enlisted men make the statement that 
Company C had provided hot mess for fully a thousand men of 
other units during the second day of the recent drive in and around 
Cheppy and Charpentry. Being somewhat skeptical about so great 
a number having been provided for, I made inquiry and found that 
three large kettles of coffee, each holding from 250 ^to 300 cups of 
coflfee, were prepared, and rations in similar quantities were given 
out. Further, the kitchen was in operation throughout the twen- 
ty-four hours supplying food to men who were out of touch with 
their units or which could not supply them with hot mess. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 151 

eluded several striking cases in which our men cap- 
tured guns and their crews. But the taking of 
prisoners was a familiar occurrence in nearly all 
the platoons. Lieutenant Catlett's platoon, for in- 
stance, captured eleven. Corporal Graves went 
further. He had been assigned as a runner to the 
Regimental P.C. of the 131st. Accompanied by a 
dozen infantry runners, of whom he was in charge, 
he undertook a brush with the enemy, and led in 
the capture of forty Boches. Most of such cases 
occurred after the first wave of the infantry had 
passed; but there are not a few cases of our de- 
tachments reaching the objective with the first 
wave, or ev^n ahead of it. 

All the while our men were living under condi- 
tions of severe hardship and steady strain. For the 
first few days there was little or no hot food. "Iron 
rations" seldom lasted long, and Boche rations 

3. This liberal spirit was further exemplified in connection with 
a Platoon of Company "E" under the charge of Lieutenant 
Robinson, I believe, during the drive in the Toul sector. Returning 
from the line late one night and finding no rations immediately 
available, he applied to a near-by company for assistance, but they 
stated they were also entirely out. A Major of Marines stand- 
ing by asked Lieutenant Robinson the name of his unit and, 
upon learning it, had his own kitchen provide the platoon with 
coffee and rations, and the following day sent a supply of dough- 
nuts, because, as he explained it, of the reputation the First Gas 
Regiment had for liberally supplying his own and other units 
with rations upon numerous occasions. 

L. LOWENBERG 

Captain, 1st Gas Regiment 



152 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

were everywhere a welcome supplement. If food 
was scarce, rest was even rarer. There was as 
much work by night as by day. Billets were of 
every description. E Company, in the historic 
town of Varennes, camped in enemy dugouts 
after carrying out some dead Germans. B com- 
pany took similar shelters overlooking the battered 
village of Very, and D found quarters in the woods 
south of Montfaucon and west of Malancourt. At 
Gercourt many F Company men made their way 
into Boche dugouts forty feet underground, while 
A Company spent their few hours of rest in cellars 
in Cumieres or in holes on the slopes of the famous 
hill, Le Mort Homme. 

Even these informal homes could be used only in 
snatches, and could not always provide safety. 
The strain of both effort and danger was constant. 
It was seldom that any platoon went for long with- 
out exposure to shell-fire. There were long night 
carries under heavy bombardment. There were 
gas barrages and the fire of machine-guns. Almost 
as hard to bear were the constant suspense and 
uncertainty — the questions so hard to answer, 
of "What next?" and "How long?" And all this 
against a background of rain and mud and fog and 
dirt and blood, and often in the presence of the 
wounded and the dead. 

But shelling and long marches and severe ex- 




TRENCHES NEAR " LE MORT HOMME' 




NAXTILLOIS 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 153 

posure could never dull the appetite for adventure 
and novelty, for while Americans can be desper- 
ately earnest about war, they can never be wholly 
serious. There were really no "leisure moments"; 
but such empty moments as occurred were usually 
devoted to the continued quest for souvenirs and 
to the subsequent comparison of notes or barter of 
goods. Not for nothing did our men (when ques- 
tioned as to their unit) call themselves the "First 
Souvenir Hunters." Small property was not the 
only kind sought. We were always eager for more 
transportation, and even Boche horses were oc- 
casionally "salvaged." With mules, however, we 
were not always so lucky. Some D Company men 
found a mule half-buried in a caved-in shell-hole. 
Getting him out seemed a light task considering 
the prize so easily won. With much labor they 
joined in digging to free him, and finally hauled 
him out successfully to level ground. Whereupon, 
as they stood watching him, in an admiring circle, 
he calmly lay down and definitely died. 

More sportsmanlike than collecting enemy 
goods was the favorite pastime of shooting at 
enemy aeroplanes. Our mastery of the air was 
found to be more convincing on paper than in 
action, for often the German aviators flew over 
our lines not merely to observe, but to attack with 
their machine-guns. A group of our men lined up 



154 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

for "sick-call," was once scattered by such fire, 
and the infantry were frequent sufferers. On all 
occasions when the enemy's flight was low or his 
numbers great, our men would blaze away at him 
with rifles ; and D Company (probably quite accu- 
rately) attests the destruction of two machines. 

Such diversions could brighten an hour here 
and there, but they could not help us to avoid the 
strain of the fight or the inevitable losses of war. 
In this first phase our casualties were heavy. 
Though fortunate, as we have seen, in having but 
four men killed, our losses in wounded were 
many. One hundred and twenty-four men had 
been wounded — 17 of them severely. Of the re- 
maining 104, 91 were gas cases, three quarters of 
whom were equally divided between Companies 
A and C. The former lost a large group on Sep- 
tember 28 from the effects of mustard gas, but the 
majority returned to duty before long. Four days 
later Company C was heavily hit by an equal 
number of more serious cases. Before September 
was over three officers had also been wounded 
— Lieutenants Smiley and Cooper slightly, Lieu- 
tenant Weakland more seriously. For every man 
wounded a dozen had lucky escapes. Again and 
again whole platoons barely escaped destruction. 
Billets next to them would be shattered by a shell 
or groups of infantry near them knocked to pieces. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 155 

Luckiest of these narrow squeaks was the occasion 
when Engineer Kelly and two sergeants were to- 
gether in one shell-hole with Lieutenant Cooper. 
The latter was seated jauntily with his legs apart 
— when right between them landed a " dud " shell. 

No account of our wounded would be complete 
without the most honorable mention of the men 
of our medical detachment. Their officers shared 
the fortunes of the men at the front, and gave 
themselves completely to keeping the soldiers in 
fit condition ; and the enlisted men were both con- 
stant and gallant in their efforts. No story of any 
fight is told by their comrades without some praise 
of their work. Not only did they give aid to our 
own wounded, but time and again they were fore- 
most in caring for scores of the infantry and in 
facing many dangers to come to their assistance. 
Only one case among many is the distinguished 
service of Private Higgs which won the D.S.C.^ 

Most severe among our single disasters was the 
loss suffered by Company C. At 2 a.m. on October 
2 all of the company officers, with Engineer Allen, 
were sleeping in one dugout at Charpentry. A 
mustard-gas shell exploded in one of the door- 
ways ; and by morning every occupant was carried 
to the hospital severely gassed. The officers were 
Lieutenants Webster, Owen, Brumhall, Jabine, 

* See Appendix E. 



156 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

and Everett of C, and Goss of the Medical Corps. 
At one stroke the company was deprived of all 
officers, and at a time when many of the "non- 
coms" were also gas cases. Engineer Hough took 
command ; and by trusting to the remaining ser- 
geants, who never failed, and by rapid transfers 
and additions of other officers, the company was 
soon reorganized. Five days later it was able to 
carry out a " show." Lieutenants Webster, Brum- 
hall, and Jabine, after six or more weeks in hos- 
pitals, ultimately recovered; but only Webster 
was able to rejoin us before we sailed. For long we 
had hope that the others would slowly get well 
and be with us again. But, though we did not 
know it at the time, the news reached us two 
months later that before October 9, Lieutenants 
Goss, Owen, and Everett, and Engineer Allen 
had died. 

Of all our excellent non-commissioned officers 
none was more trusted or more admired by his 
men and his officers than Allen. Formerly a ser- 
geant in Company B, he was soon to have been 
commissioned, and in his death the regiment lost 
a thoroughly fine officer. Lieutenant Goss, one of 
our four doctors, had been devoted and untiring 
in his work. He had given his best without stint, 
and those whom he helped and with whom he 
shared every hardship remember him gratefully. 





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ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 157 

One of the first officers whom the Colonel asked to 
join the regiment was Lieutenant Owen, for his 
reputation as an electrician had been won at the 
Panama Canal. Handicapped by illness during 
the actions at the British front, he had been later 
assigned to Company C. There he achieved an 
admirable record of efficiency. As a friend in- 
creasingly appreciated, and as a soldier increas- 
ingly valuable, we found it hard to lose him. Lieu- 
tenant Everett had seen earlier service in the 
army, and his past experience both as a veteran 
soldier and as an expert mechanic made him dou- 
bly valuable. After some months of service as a 
master engineer in charge of transportation, he 
had been commissioned, and served during the 
summer with Company C. No officer in the regi- 
ment had shown more ability in the tasks assigned 
him or greater gallantry in the field. He could 
have commanded a company with distinction, and 
within a few months the opportunity would have 
been his. A born leader of men and the highest 
type of soldier, he was likewise, in character, true 
and simple and straight. He was sorely missed. 

THE SECOND PHASE 

(October 4 to October 31) 
On October 4, without noticing any change, the 
regiment passed into the Second Phase of the 



158 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

battle, and continued therein until November i. 
During this period the work of the army consisted 
of steady hammering along a line that was half- 
stabilized, with local advances here and there, sel- 
dom involving more than a division. We were 
therefore not obliged to carry out the extensive 
"follow-up" work incident to the progress of a 
general battle. But we were called upon frequently 
to produce almost every feature of our repertoire, 
for some unit was always advancing somewhere, 
and machine-gun resistance was as vigorous as 
ever. 

To begin, as before, with our companies in the 
Argonne, the second platoon of Company E on 
October 4 installed two guns in the Bois d'Apre- 
mont to silence some machine-guns for the 305th 
Infantry. We shot 51 rounds of thermite, but after 
the fifth round all enemy fire ceased. On the fol- 
lowing morning from a new position, two guns 
again went into action to help the same regiment 
in a flank assault upon some strong point. After 
the first ten minutes of a bombardment of 96 
rounds, the German machine-guns were silenced, 
and their artillery tried in vain to locate our posi- 
tion. The infantry advance, however, was thrown 
back. Two days later a successful gas "shoot" 
added a touch of variety to the daily work. At 
I A.M. on October 7 we fired 50 rounds of phosgene 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 159 

on enemy troops — an attack which soon over- 
came the first machine-gun retaliation. Before 
this last operation, another platoon of E Com- 
pany had been working for a week in the neigh- 
borhood of Le Chene Tondu, a thickly wooded 
summit west of Apremont. Two "shows" in the 
previous phase had been carried out, and three 
guns had been set up in a rather exposed position. 
"Zero" hour was first fixed and then changed 
several times during the succeeding three days, 
while the men were dodging the bullets of snipers 
and machine-gunners. At length on October 5, 
still under fire, the gun-crews shot 90 rounds of 
smoke and 77 of thermite, while the infantry 
went forward for a small gain. This section had 
spent four days and nights on Le Chene Tondu, 
sleeping in the open and living on iron rations. 
During that time six men had been wounded, and 
all were ready to welcome the later rapid infantry 
advance which made further work unnecessary. 
After October 7, Company E had no further per- 
formance till November i. But for a time there 
were only brief chances for rest, since reconnais- 
sance and constant movement continued. One 
section reconnoitered and partly prepared for an 
attack in a dangerous sector near Grandpre. An- 
other moved to Fleville, then one of the liveliest 
spots on the front. Here reconnaissance was con- 



i6o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

ducted in anticipation of an infantry advance 
upon Im6court. Upon one of these expeditions 
Lieutenant Fleming was severely wounded. He 
was taken to a hospital, and died the following 
day. On October 17 he was buried with full mili- 
tary honors at the cemetery at Froidos. As second 
in command of Company E, Fleming had been an 
exceptionally able and popular leader, the life of 
the company, and a genial and lovable friend to 
many intimates. We mourned him sincerely and 
felt his loss continually. The day after his burial 
(October 18) Company E gathered at La Grange- 
aux-Bois near Ste. Menehould. Casualties had 
been few; but all the men were weary and many 
sick, and they heartily welcomed the next nine 
days devoted to rest and refitting. 

During this month Company C's adventures 
were few. After suffering from the heavy gas casu- 
alties already noted, the company was withdrawn 
to Les Islettes — one platoon remaining forward 
for action. On October 7 this unit conducted an 
operation for the First Infantry Brigade. Twenty 
rounds of thermite were used against three tar- 
gets near Hill 240, and the advancing infantry 
reported no machine-gun fire from these points. 
Operating later with the Forty-second Division, 
which had relieved the First, two mortars were 
prepared for an attack on October 14, but at the 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 161 

last moment the "show" was canceled. Thence- 
forward Company C was not called upon for ac- 
tion until the Last Phase. The men were moved 
on October 18 to La Grange-aux-Bois, where, 
with E Company, they were given time to recu- 
perate and reorganize. 

During the first five days of the Second Phase 
Company B was given opportunities for five 
"shows." On October 5 the second platoon car- 
ried out two operations, both in connection with 
an advance of the 127th Infantry (Thirty-second 
Division). The first, at 5.55 A.M., consisted of five 
rounds of thermite, together with a smoke screen 
masking the advance of the infantry into the Bois 
de la Morine, At six o'clock that same evening, 
from a position further forward, 15 rounds of 
smoke and 5 of thermite were shot to mask the 
enemy's position at Gesnes and to bombard the 
area within. The officer in command of the infan- 
try battalion reported that the screen had ren- 
dered him valuable assistance, and that he had 
been able to accomplish successfully the improve- 
ment of his defenses. Extensive infantry reliefs 
then being conducted prevented work for the 
next three days. On October 9, the third platoon, 
which had replaced the second, installed seven 
projectors, and at 8 a.m. fired high explosive 
drums against hostile dugouts on Hill 255. Simul- 



i62 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

taneously a screen of smoke was laid along the 
edge of the woods near by; but for reasons un- 
known to us the infantry failed to move. Another 
operation to which the infantry failed to respond 
had been executed the previous day by the first 
platoon, who had set up their guns south of 
Gesnes. From there eight rounds of thermite were 
discharged against the enemy's position and an 
excellent smoke screen established. But, because 
of insufficient artillery preparation, the 126th In- 
fantry did not attack — a failure much regretted 
by the brigadier in command, who praised our 
performance. On October 10 the whole of B Com- 
pany reassembled at Ville-sur-Cousances next to 
Battalion Headquarters, there to enjoy ten days 
of much needed rest and refitting. 

Company D's contributions to the Second 
Phase were the two operations of October 4 and 9, 
both under direction of the Third Division. Three 
platoons, billeted in huts south of Cierges, were 
constantly shelled, and reconnaissance and prepa- 
ration were carried out under conditions unusu- 
ally hazardous. On October 4 two platoons moved 
forward to the northern edge of Cierges, and in- 
stalled four mortars. At 4 p.m. they fired 40 
rounds of smoke, establishing a screen north of the 
town. Five days afterward, the third platoon pre- 
pared to assist the 30th Infantry by throwing a 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 163 

flank screen along the Bois de Cunel. At 9.02 a.m. 
40 rounds of thermite were discharged, and by its 
aid the infantry advanced with success. 

Just before the guns had been installed the ex- 
plosion of an enemy shell wounded six men and 
instantly killed Lieutenant Rideout.^ This sudden 
loss was keenly felt by Company D and through- 
out the regiment. Rideout had been unexcelled as 
a daring and effective officer. From the day at St. 
Thibaut, when he had held the town with a dozen 
followers, down to the day of his death, he had 
won the devotion and confidence not only of his 
commanding officers but of all the men. His con- 
spicuous gallantry on many occasions is an honor 
to the regiment, and has been fitly commemorated 
by his Distinguished Service Cross. ^ 

On October 11, Company D joined Company B 
at Ville-sur-Cousances, and took advantage ot the 
same brief period for change and refreshment. 
Thenceforward no further operations were carried 
out by the First and Second Battalions until the 
beginning of the Third Phase on November i. 
The Provisional Battalion, however, which had 
seen much less service since the first few days, was 
ready to resume activity and to represent us at the 
front during the next two weeks. Within that 

1 The next day he was buried with full military honors at the 
cemetery at Froidos. 

* Awarded after his death. See Appendix E. 



i64 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

time F Company executed nine "shoots" and A 
Company four. 

The first two of F Company's "shows" were 
with the Fourth Division. On October 9 this divi- 
sion undertook an advance between the Bois de 
Fays and the Bois de Brieulles. To help them 
cross the open space between, four Stokes mortars 
were installed in the northwest corner of the latter 
wood. When the move began at 10 a.m. a heavy 
fog rendered an artificial screen unnecessary. But, 
as the mist cleared, our gun teams began firing, 
and during the next half-hour sent over 20 rounds 
of smoke. Between 3.20 and 4.25 in the afternoon 
80 more rounds were fired to create a further 
screen during the passage of reinforcements across 
the exposed area. On the nth, 60 projectors were 
installed in preparation for a gas attack, but at 
the last moment the infantry moved forward, and 
the operation was canceled. The next day Com- 
pany F was assigned to the Seventeenth French 
Corps, and moved at once to Verdun. 

Meanwhile, Company A had been busy with 
the Eightieth Division. During October 6, 7, and 
8, one platoon north of Nantillois spent seventy- 
two hours standing by with their guns prepared to 
use thermite to repel an expected counter-attack. 
Our presence there appears to have comforted the 
infantry ; but the incident offers a poor example of 



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FERME DE LA MADELEINE 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 165 

the correct use of gas troops on the defensive. 
During the night of the 5th, Lieutenant Catlett 
and his section conducted a reconnaissance, and in- 
stalled their guns under exceptionally risky condi- 
tions. All night the men were without shelter amid 
a continued alternation of gas and high explosive 
barrages, and before the morning. Lieutenant 
Catlett had been severely wounded. By October 9, 
the infantry were ready to advance north of Nan- 
tillois, and seven of our Stokes mortars were pre- 
pared for action at 5 a.m. The infantry, however, 
were delayed by the corps on the left, and the 
movement did not begin until 3.30 p.m. The left 
flank of the infantry was then protected by a 
smoke barrage, and 66 rounds of thermite were 
fired upon machine-gun nests. The German bar- 
racks were set on fire, and the infantry officers ex- 
pressed great satisfaction with our work. Our as- 
sistance was again called for on the nth, when 
two mortars were set up to fire upon machine-gun 
emplacements in the Bois de Fays. Before "zero" 
hour a heavy barrage was laid by the enemy in 
front of our guns ; but our men stood by gallantly 
and carried out the attack at the appointed time. 
The infantry commanders were not only pleased 
with our "show," but spoke in high terms of the 
conduct of the gun-crews. The following day, the 
Fifth Division moved in ; and on October 14 a pla- 



i66 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

toon assisted the 6oth Infantry with a smoke and 
thermite attack, under heavy shell-fire, upon tar- 
gets back of the village of Cunel. Two days after- 
ward the Company was assigned to the Third Di- 
vision. With them, as with their predecessors, we 
continued to plead for chances to use gas ; but not 
until October 20 did the opportunity come. Sev- 
enty-six bombs of phosgene were discharged from 
mortars upon a group of machine-guns on the 
right flank of the infantry advance. The enemy 
was immediately put out of action, and the net 
result of the operation was the easy capture of 1 1 
machine-guns and 43 prisoners. After spending 
the four succeeding days in awaiting further op- 
portunities, the company was moved back on 
October 25 to Verdun. The men had been living 
in rain and mud and gas for many days ; the casu- 
alties numbered over 40, and the sick as many 
more. In fact, at the end of the month not more 
than 75 fit men were present for duty. The en- 
suing two weeks of rest at Verdun were sorely 
needed. 

Company F, as we have seen, had been at- 
tached on the 1 2th to the Seventeenth French 
Corps. Working at first with the Tenth French 
Colonial Division and later with the American 
Twenty-sixth, this company conducted the only 
operations of our regiment during the last half of 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 167 

October. 1 The striking feature of these seven 
"shows" was that gas played a part in four of 
them. The first was a genuine old-fashioned pro- 
jector attack upon a scale larger than we had been 
allowed to attempt since August. The front, too, 
was of the old-fashioned stable kind. The "show" 
was a hard one to prepare. The positions were 
only 300 meters from the Germans, who often 
helped us to see our work by their frequent use of 
"Very lights." The carry was 900 yards over slip- 
pery paths through a section often shelled with 
mustard gas. During two black and rainy nights 
the labor of preparation went on. The French as- 
sisted us with a covering party, and provided also 
100 men, as well as horses and tram-cars, to aid 
in the carrying. After a brief experience, the poilus 
expressed the conviction that Americans were ac- 
customed to work much too hard ! Two hundred 
and thirty-seven projectors were installed in three 
different emplacements in the Bois de Caurrieres,^ 
to fire upon three targets averaging 1600 yards in 
distance. At 3.30 a.m. on October 16, in the midst 
of a dense fog and rain, 197 drums were dis- 
charged to the accompaniment of an artillery 
bombardment of the enemy's trenches. The re- 
maining 40 projectors were fired at 11 p.m. the 

^ Except for the A Company operation just recorded. 
' A position two miles east of Louvemont. 



i68 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

same day. No noticeable retaliation followed 
either attack, and "intelligence" later received 
confirmed the fact that the enemy had suffered 
severe casualties. 

The subsequent operations constituted a rapid 
series of Stokes mortar "shows" carried out along 
the Twenty-sixth Division front. After risky re- 
connaissances, accompanied by some narrow es- 
capes, emplacements were selected in the southern 
edge of the Bois d'Ormont and targets in the east- 
ern part of the same wood. On October 21, at 
7 A.M. and 3 P.M. two attacks were made, the first 
with smoke and phosgene, the second with phos- 
gene and thermite. The aim was so to vary our 
time and our dose as to subject the enemy to the 
strain of constant guessing. If similar methods 
could have been adopted all along the front, the 
results would surely have been fruitful. In keeping 
with these tactics, a third bombardment was exe- 
cuted on October 22 (8 a.m.) with thermite and 
smoke and two others the next day (8 a.m. and 
2 P.M.). By this time the enemy had located our 
position, and we proposed to attack from a new 
point. But since the infantry commander objected 
to further activity, no other chances occurred. 
Within a few days F Company was transferred to 
a new sector, south of Romagne, there to prepare 
for the attacks of the Third Phase. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 169 

During the four weeks of the Second Phase the 
army advanced a distance little greater than the 
distance it had achieved during the eight days of 
the First Phase. The progress of the American 
divisions had been bitterly contested, and their 
casualties had been heavy. WHiile the struggle was 
going on, our regiment had been able to keep from 
one to five companies at the front and ready to 
cooperate. These units carried out 25 operations, 
averaging nearly one a day. To make possible our 
continued fitness to fight, it had proved necessary 
after the first ten days, first to remove to the rear 
the sick and exhausted, and later to let the task 
of working at the front rotate among the platoons. 
This scheme prevented useless wear and tear, and 
enabled us to give rest to the majority of the men 
and still to keep ready for action the only units 
actually needed. As the lines became partly sta- 
bilized, and our methods grew to be recognized, 
there was less confusion than before, less waste 
labor, and greater ease in cooperation. Opportuni- 
ties arose for the use of every variety of attack, 
and even gas was given its chance. But, though its 
value was increasingly appreciated, it was never 
permitted with any approach to the frequency for 
which the situation called. 

In spite of slow progress — indeed, often be- 
cause of it — the front was one long battle-field. 



lyo THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

As the preceding story will have made clear, our 
men near the Hne continued to be subject to con- 
stant shell-fire both in action and in billets. A 
Company in Gercourt, where Corporal Buxton 
was killed, B's platoons in the valley east of V6ry, 
and D's in the woods at Cierges — these are only 
a few of the instances when we lived in spots too 
hot for safety. That soldiers should thus be in 
danger would hardly be worthy of comment, were 
it not for the fact that, as a regiment, we had no 
relief. The infantry, of course, suffered far heav- 
ier punishment; but it could come and go, while 
we often felt that we were going on forever. 
Our strength was further worn down by sickness, 
due to frequent exposure and much intolerable 
weather. It is not surprising, then, that our four 
weeks' losses should not have been light. We had 
in this phase, nearly 200 cases of sickness. Among 
the enlisted men 78 were wounded — three se- 
verely. Half of the total were gas cases. Among 
the officers, seven were wounded, one severely. In 
addition to these, three officers and two men died 
of wounds, and one officer and one man were killed 
in action. While we had not escaped easily, our 
good fortune had often been remarkable, and that 
so very few had been killed, was ground for 
gratitude. 
^ While the Army as a whole was undergoing but 





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Iliu.'h.- .V I-Nt,ibrook. N.Y. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 171 

one phase, our own history in these days really 
has two — life at the front and life in the rear. 
During most of October from one to five com- 
panies were in rest billets far from the front — C 
and E in La Grange-aux-Bois, B and D at Ville- 
sur-Cousances and A and F at Verdun. Though 
shells occasionally reached Verdun and air raids 
were not unknown in the other towns, there was 
genuine relief from the continued strain of the 
days of action. Exhausted though they were, the 
men were always ready for a chance to shoot. 
But when fighting was not feasible the change was 
gratefully relished. The mere relaxation was often 
sufhcient to make recuperation rapid — a process 
always hastened by the luxury of clean clothes 
and hot baths. At Verdun and La Grange even 
entertainments were now and again available, and 
there was spare time enough for the beginnings of 
soccer football. Even these days, however, were 
not holidays. Training schedules were established 
and drills resumed. After frequent inspections, re- 
fitting was thoroughly carried out. And, finally, 
replacements from Company Q brought up to 
normal strength companies that had been fifty 
per-cent depleted. At the same time changes in 
officer personnel continued the process. We had 
not only lost some of our best officers, but a second 
group had been sent back to America, to share in 



172 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

the training and command of prospective new 
regiments.^ The list included Lieutenant-Colonel 
Crawford, whose three months experience in com- 
manding gas troops had insured his high value 
during the first weeks of the battle. He was re- 
placed at the end of October by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Rockwell, who remained with the regi- 
ment for a month before leaving us to become 
Chief Gas Officer of the Third Army. Thirteen 
other officers — first and second lieutenants — 
joined the organization during this phase, some 
for temporary duty, others as permanent addi- 
tions. 

Before the end of the last week of October, all 
the companies except A were back at the front 
again, to prepare for our share in the second big 
advance which was to open the Third Phase. 
Company D went up as early as October 20 and 
billeted in Fleville, where shells were constantly 
bursting both in the houses and in the streets. 
Work was begun at once upon the installation of 
160 projectors in the woods one and a half kilo- 
meters south of St. Georges. The purpose was to 
assist the coming assault of the Forty-second Di- 
vision. When the Second Division moved in a 
week later, their plans were found to include a 

^ Additional gaps were caused by the departure of a dozen 
N.C.O.'s to the Officers' Training School at Choignes. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 173 

direct attack on Landres-et-St. Georges. To meet 
the new conditions, 40 more projectors were dug 
in on the forward slope of the hill one and a half 
kilometers southwest of this town, and a Stokes 
mortar emplacement was prepared In the woods 
near by. On October 21, Company B went for- 
ward to a sector to the right of Company D, but 
was not allowed to undertake any operation until 
just before the assault on November i. Company 
E moved to the front on October 28, and went 
into billets at Cornay, where the men were shelled 
every night. Digging began at once for the pro- 
jector attack about to take place. C Company 
sent up one platoon to the 305th Infantry of the 
Seventy-seventh Division ; and F Company swung 
over to the sector east of B. Advanced Regimental 
Headquarters was established at Montfaucon. 
Five companies were now prepared to take part 
in the last great drive. 

The Third Phase and, as we hoped, the last, 
began in the midst of a world of Inspiring news. 
During October the German peace offer, followed 
by several notes, went side by side with the great 
British successes in Flanders and the French in 
Champagne. Before November i Turkey had col- 
lapsed and Austria was on the verge of surrender. 
Our new offensive opened with the high confidence 
that victory was at hand. 



174 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

THE THIRD PHASE 
(November i to November ii) 

As part of a concerted offensive along the whole 
western front from the Dutch border to Pont-^- 
Mousson, the American First Army advanced 
once more on the morning of November i. After a 
terrific artillery preparation — one hurricane of 
fire along our entire sector — the attack was 
launched at 5.30 a.m. In aiding this initial assault 
our regiment executed 14 operations west of the 
Meuse. Previous to "H" hour, at 3.30 a.m., Com- 
pany E (assigned to the Eightieth Division) dis- 
charged 20 high explosive projector bombs and 20 
gas bombs from an emplacement between St. 
Juvin and Landres-et-St. Georges. At the same 
hour Stokes mortars fired 41 gas bombs and 24 
thermite. On this morning conditions on the front 
line were more hazardous and perturbed than be- 
fore any of our previous "zero's." The heaviest 
risks were run, and our casualties were severe. 
Company E's platoon was caught in a barrage. 
One man was killed and many slightly gassed ; but 
all of our own wounded and many of the infantry 
were carried back by our men to Sommerance 
under shell-fire. 

Likewise, at two hours before "zero," Com- 
pany D discharged 80 projector drums of phos- 





Courtesy of llugln-^ & Kstabrouk, X.V 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 175 

gene upon strong points directly south of St. 
Georges. Since the wind was due south and carried 
the gas through the village and down the ravine 
northward, enemy casualties were heavy. Prison- 
ers later reported some 300 gas cases, and more 
than 20 bodies of men killed by gas were found on 
the position. Later, at one minute before "zero," 
another group of 40 projectors discharged high 
explosive bombs upon the same targets, and still 
another launched the same number upon machine- 
gun nests southeast of Landres-et-St. Georges. 
The bombardment was completed by the work of 
eight Stokes mortars established at two different 
positions more than a hundred yards ahead of the 
front line. The first set fired 22 rounds of thermite 
and the second 28 — successfully covering four 
different targets. At the beginning of this action, 
Captain Steidle was wounded by a shell fragment 
in his right eye. The regiment was later grieved to 
hear that he had lost the sight of this eye. But 
in December we were grateful to be able to wel- 
come him back with a new eye named "Lulu," 
and with a new assignment as Battalion Com- 
mander. 

Company F, too, is responsible for a "pre-zero- 
show" in the Ninetieth Division sector. At 2.30 
A.M. four Stokes mortars in the northern edge of 
the Bois de Bantheville fired 18 rounds of ther- 



176 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

mite. A projector "shoot" was prevented only 
by adverse wind conditions. 

Of the remaining six operations, carried out 
exactly at 5.30, five were smoke screens directly 
assisting the infantry advance.^ Company C fired 
thermite and smoke bombs on machine-guns be- 
yond the Ravin aux Pierres, and silenced their 
fire. Company B had been given the task of 
screening the northern edge of the Bois de Ban- 
theville and of laying another smoke barrage in 
front of La d'Huy Ferme. To effect the former, 
six guns had been set up on a hill in the northern 
section of the wood. At "zero " 23 of the 60 rounds 
planned were fired. Further work was impossible, 
for the guns had settled deeply into the soft 
ground of the emplacement. But even with such 
assistance as we could give, the advancing troops 
passed across the open valley under cover of the 
smoke, aided by a slight fog, and entered the 
woods without opposition. During the action 
Private Partridge had been killed and three men 
wounded. Still earlier in the morning Privates 
Slamon and Bleight were also killed. 

1 The American edition of the London Daily Mail for Novem- 
ber 3 contained the following passage: 

"Yesterday's fighting, however, holds the chief point of interest. 
The spectacular barrage, as I saw it, with its bursts of blood-red 
thermite, was an awe-inspiring spectacle. . . . Then the tanks lum- 
bered forward and, following them, the Americans disappeared in 
the mist through the woods and up and over the ridges." 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 177 

The screen in front of the farm rendered valu- 
able aid to the satisfaction of the infantry com- 
mander, for though several machine-guns were cap- 
tured there, they had not impeded the advance. 
From part of the same wood gun-crews of Com- 
pany F had been firing 20 rounds of smoke. Just 
as the men had finished firing and were preparing 
to move forward, a shell exploded close in front of 
the position, killed five men ^ and wounded eight 
others. 

Though our losses were severer than usual, and 
though the infantry met some sharp resistance 
during the first morning, the advance thereafter 
was amazingly rapid. Progress was everywhere 
easier than we had dared to hope ; and within four 
days the army had achieved an advance double 
that of the past six weeks. Indeed, those who 
watched maps at Regimental Headquarters were 
constantly embarrassed by the fact that no sooner 
was a section map installed for observation, than 
the infantry would walk right off it. If it was hard 
to keep pace with them on a map, it may be 
imagined how difficult it was to keep pace with 
them on foot. Except for Company C, however, 
(which had been pledged for later use In crossing 
the Meuse) all the five companies' gun teams at- 

^ Privates First Class Mely, Anderson, and Hansen, and Geagon 
(Medical Detachment) and Private Western. 



178 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

tempted to continue their auxiliary work. But 
from then on until the end of the war, despite our 
readiness, we were actually called upon for only 
three more operations. 

For five days Company E followed the infan- 
try with gun teams and ammunition. The men 
moved from Sivry to Buzancy to Sommauthe and 
on to La Besac, keeping with the attacking bat- 
talion, and bivouacking as they went; but no 
opportunities to act were afforded, and on No- 
vember 7 the company was ordered back to AUie- 
pont. With equal energy Company D took part in 
the advance of the Second Division. Keeping one 
platoon ahead with the foremost brigade, the 
company reached Bayonville by November 3. 
The 5th they moved to Nouart and the 8th to 
Beaumont. Company B, after trailing the success- 
ful progress of the Eighty-ninth Division, was 
assembled on November 4 at Nouart, and by 
November 8 had still no chances to serve. On 
November 8 Company C had been attached to 
the Fifth Division, and moved eastward to 
Brieulles. On the 9th, one platoon advanced to 
Murvaux and the next day to Brandeville. Thor- 
ough reconnaissance was meanwhile conducted. 
Besides keeping in touch with the Ninetieth Divi- 
sion, which required no help, Company F had 
furnished two gun teams on November 2 to the 







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ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 179 

Fifth Division, near Brieulles. Twice these units 
had their guns installed to fire upon the Bois de 
Chatillon, and twice the collapse of enemy resist- 
ance resulted in canceling the operations. In the 
course of these attempts Lieutenant Grasle found 
an infantry company lost in the woods, reformed 
them and piloted them to their proper station, 
while Lieutenant Murray and three men utilized 
some spare time by taking fifteen prisoners. Com- 
pany A reported on November 9 to the Twenty- 
sixth Division on the extreme right; two pla- 
toons were moved forward and reconnaissance 
began. 

In the course of these first nine days of Novem- 
ber, we were able to enjoy the stimulus not only 
of our own progressive victory but also of dra- 
matic world news from every quarter. On the 5th 
Austria signed the terms of a severe armistice; the 
next day our own troops were within a few miles 
of Sedan. And then, in rapid succession, came tid- 
ings of German delegates at Foch's headquarters, 
the German naval revolt, and the abdication of 
the Kaiser. Yet not for a moment did our efforts 
relax. On the loth of November five of our com- 
panies were represented on the battle front, and 
during the last twenty-four hours of the war we 
prepared fully for six operations and executed 
three. The First Gas Regiment finished strong. 



i8o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

Most of Company B had moved eastward on 
November lo to some wooded heights above the 
Meuse opposite Pouilly. The move in itself was 
exceptionally risky; for all the roads near the 
river were subject to point-blank enfilade fire 
from the opposing artillery, and several trucks 
near our own were demolished at sight. The 177th 
Brigade was planning to cross the river at Pouilly 
and Inor. Avoiding a direct screen at Pouilly 
(which would only have drawn fire upon our 
troops), we planned one flanking screen to cut off 
hostile observation and another to blanket the 
village of Inor. These projects, though approved, 
were never carried out. The brigade commander 
decided against such preliminary preparations, 
and at 6 p.m. on November 10, in silence and 
under cover of darkness, the crossing was made 
at Pouilly without casualties. Two hours later the 
second and third platoons of Company D gave 
skillful assistance in effecting a crossing by the 
4th Brigade. Two targets were picked out at 
points where the infantry were not to cross, one 
in Mouzon, the other at La Scierie Ferme — a 
post strongly fortified with machine-guns. The 
plan was twofold: to neutralize the hostile fire 
from these two points, and at the same time to 
persuade the enemy that our smoke screens con- 
cealed the real crossings. At 9.30 p.m. on the loth, 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 181 

4 rounds of smoke and 17 of thermite were shot 
against the first position, and 10 of smoke and 8 of 
thermite against the second. The scheme worked 
admirably. Fire from the targets was silenced im- 
mediately, and the rest of the enemy's fire was 
concentrated chiefly upon the two smoke screens. 
The infantry promptly crossed the river at four 
other points and attained their objectives. A Com- 
pany, too, shared in the activity of this same day. 
On the Twenty-sixth Division front 20 gas bombs 
were shot at machine-gun positions with results 
highly satisfactory. The guns were put out of ac- 
tion and their crews retreated. For another gas 
attack the next day, the mortars had been already 
installed, when hostilities ceased. Finally, the ar- 
mistice found Company C in a similar situation. 
On the night of the loth an enemy battalion en- 
trenched itself In shell holes opposite the front 
of the nth Infantry, and heavy machine-gun and 
artillery fire was opened against our troops. 
Three mortars and sixty rounds of thermite were 
brought up under shell-fire by trucks and mules, 
and an attack was planned for 10.30 a.m. on the 
nth. At 10.15 on that day about a hundred 
Boches stood up from their shell holes unarmed, 
with their hands in their pockets. One of their 
officers advanced toward our lines and was met 
by our nearest infantry commander. He an- 



i82 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

nounced that the armistice had been signed and 
requested that the attack be canceled. Since or- 
ders to that effect were soon received from the 
commanding officer of the nth, our men withheld 
their fire. But they stood by at advanced posi- 
tions, and did not withdraw until eleven o'clock. 
That hour marked the end of our operations, 
the end of the battle, and the end of the great 
war.^ 

Of our final day of effort Colonel Atkisson 
wrote in the Official Bulletin: 

The Regimental Commander wishes to note particu- 
larly that this Bulletin includes reports of five opera- 
tions carried out within 24 hours of the time the ar- 
mistice became effective. This giving full measure of 
service, of being in the foremost wave of our victori- 
ous Army, leaving nothing undone to the very last, 
is in keeping with the spirit and determination which 
has made possible the development of a new offensive 
service in our Army with a real field of usefulness. 

The Regimental Commander knows of the high ideal 
of "Service" which has prompted the officers and men 
from the very beginning. 

An added word of congratulation that had 
reached us earlier may be read in this letter from 
Colonel Schulz: 

^ During the Third Phase we suffered the following losses: 
I officer severely wounded, i slightly wounded, 33 men wounded 
— 6 severely, i man died of wounds, and 10 men killed. It was the 
costliest ten days we had known. 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 183 

Headquarters First Army, American E.F. 
Office of Chief Gas Officer 

November 8, 19 18 
From: Chief Gas Officer. 

To: Commanding Officer, ist Gas Regiment. 

Subject: Operations beginning November ist. 

I. In transmitting herewith advance copies of Gen- 
eral Orders 31 and 32, Headquarters First Army, con- 
cerning the victory won by the First American Army 
since November ist, I take great pleasure in adding 
that reports received from various sources in the Army 
testify to the assistance given by the ist Gas Regiment 
in bringing about this happy result. The knowledge of 
the excellent work done by the Regiment in this and 
past operations will be a source of gratification not 
only to its own personnel, but to all officers and men 
belonging to the Chemical Warfare Service. 

John W. N. Schulz 

Colonel, C.W.S. 

The General Orders here mentioned will long 
be remembered by those who helped to "smash 
the way " : 

Headquarters First Army 
American Expeditionary Forces, France 

^th November, 19 18 
General Orders No. 31 : 

On November first, after constant fighting for over 
one month, the First American Army launched an 
attack against the German Army which had estab- 
lished itself for determined resistance. In five days it 
has penetrated 25 kilometers and has driven the 
enemy in retreat before it. Its brilliant success, in con- 



i84 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

nection with the advance of the 4th French Army on 
its left, forced the Germans to retreat on a broad front 
to the west. 

It has fought and marched and endured the rigors 
of campaign with the most superb indifference to every- 
thing except the determination to go forward and im- 
print upon the enemy the marks of its courage and res- 
olution. 

All arms and services, those in advance who smashed 
the way, those in the air who rendered aggressive and 
efficient service, and those in rear who by their untir- 
ing industry made possible the continued advance, are 
worthy of the highest praise and the gratitude of their 
admiring country. 

The army Commander is proud of such an army, 
thanks it for the splendid results already achieved, and 
looks with confidence to the still greater successes that 
lie before it. 

By command of Lieutenant General Liggett: 

H. A. Drum 

Chief of Staff 

In Regimental General Order No. 5 was pub- 
lished a final tribute which we welcomed with 
grateful pride: 

American Expeditionary Forces 
Headquarters First Gas Regiment 

November, 28, 1918. 
General Order: 
No. 5. 
I. The following contents of a letter received from 
Brig. General Fries, Chief of the Chemical Warfare 
Service, is published to the Regiment. 

"The war is over and apparently the work of the 



ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 185 

First Gas Regiment. If a few could be kept as Gas 
troops and trained as such with the Army, I would be 
willing to have you remain for a while in France ; other- 
wise, I am making every effort to have the Gas troops 
sent promptly to the United States. 

"At this time, Idesirepersonally, and on behalf of the 
Chemical Warfare Service as a whole, to express to you 
and the officers and men of the First Gas Regiment 
under you, our pride and profound admiration of the 
work you have done. To take a new regiment and in a 
few short months teach it an entirely new method of 
warfare, known to few but the enemy, and so handle 
that work that the Chemical Warfare Service, as well 
as the regiment, became favorably known throughout 
an army of nearly 2,000,000 men, is an achievement of 
which any body of men may well be proud. 

" Not only is the First Gas Regiment well known, but 
its work has been so excellent that demands for more 
Gas troops were constantly increasing in numbers and 
insistence. Everywhere the work has been spoken of 
as that of brave and able men, who feared no enemy 
and no hardships, and who stopped only when com- 
plete exhaustion overpowered them. 

" Whether the Chemical Warfare Service will be con- 
tinued in peace remains to be seen. That your work 
will always be remembered and that it will be the guid- 
ing star for such work in any future war, should, un- 
fortunately, our country ever again have to enter upon 
one, is absolutely certain." 

2. The Regimental Commander wishes to express 
his deep appreciation of the loyalty and unselfish de- 
votion to duty of both officers and men, which made 
possible the results which prompted this letter. 
E. J. Atkisson, 

Colonel, 1st Gas Regiment 



CHAPTER IX 

LAST DAYS 

The coming of peace caused little reaction. Those 
who had expected some sharp revulsion of feeling 
or conduct were surprised to find that the bearing 
and attitude of the men were much the same on 
November 12 as they had been on November 10. 
Accustomed as we were to taking great things 
quietly, even the end of the war produced no ex- 
citement. For long it was hard not to feel that we 
were simply passing through a lull between fights; 
and except for having no attacks to prepare, daily 
life brought "business as usual." 

The armistice made necessary two immediate 
tasks — the withdrawal of all the companies to 
rest billets in the rear and the preparation of Com- 
panies A and B for service with the Army of Occu- 
pation. One battalion of the regiment had been 
assigned to this new Third Army, and the regi- 
mental commander had selected, for what was 
regarded as an honor, the two units that were 
senior in service. On November 12 and 13, Com- 
pany B marched from Nouart to Ville-sur-Cou- 
sances, where on the 14th it was joined by D. 
Company E was still at La Grange-aux-Bois and 



LAST DAYS 187 

Company A at Verdun. Companies C and F had 
not yet returned from the front. 

This account, however, does not include all the 
companies then in our regiment. Under stress of 
battle, we had hardly noticed the fact; but on 
November 7 four of the nine British Special Com- 
panies R.E.^ that had been sent to join our First 
and Second Armies, were assigned to the First 
Gas Regiment ; and to accommodate them, a re- 
organization of battalions had resulted. For one 
week we had four battalions — the First including 
E and the British J, the Second as of old, a First 
Provisional Battalion (the old Provisional), in- 
cluding C and F, and a Second Provisional Bat- 
talion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Bun- 
ker, R.E., which was composed of our A and the 
British P, D, and Z. This fourth battalion was 
quartered in Verdun, and was about to begin 
active preparations for work on our right flank. 
Lieutenant- Colonel Bunker was Battalion Com- 
mander when Company A executed its last attack ; 
but the end of the war cut short the opportunity 
for any operations by his own troops. We had 
gladly welcomed the arrival of skillful helpers and 
of several old friends. Colonel Bunker entered 
into our plans with ready energy, and the promise 

^ These were gas companies, some of them those with which 
our First Battalion had worked early in the year. 



i88 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

was bright for useful service in common. If the 
cause had been anything less than the close of the 
war, the end of our short alliance would have been 
greatly to our regret. We were at least given the 
opportunity to express once more our gratitude to 
the British Gas Service, and to show them, we 
hope, that their instruction had borne good fruit. 

With the British companies relieved, our own 
were once more reassigned. In preparation for 
their mission. Companies A and B were assigned 
on November 13 to the First Battalion, with 
Major Carlock in command. The remaining com- 
panies, under Major Lowenberg, became the 
Second Battalion. It was planned at the same 
time that all the regiment should gather as soon 
as possible at Verdun, to end for once our chronic 
state of dispersion. During November 14, 15, and 
16, the two Battalion Headquarters and Com- 
panies B, C, D, and F moved to a suburb of the 
historic city where they were quartered in stone 
barracks in the Faubourg Pave. 

On the 1 6th the First Battalion set out for the 
front, prepared for a long tour of duty in Ger- 
many. Their doings there, however, will not re- 
quire a chapter, for within two days they were 
recalled by orders from G.H.Q., and on the 19th 
we welcomed them home again. They had ad- 
vanced only eleven miles to Chaumont-devant- 



LAST DAYS 189 

Damvillers, and had never set foot on German 
soil. But counter-marching and cancellation of or- 
ders were such old stories to most of the men, that 
the change was taken cheerfully, and new hopes 
arose at once to take the place of the old. Indeed, 
the whole regiment now began to feed on hopes. 

Rumors are always current among soldiers, but 
thenceforward until we sailed they were thick in 
the atmosphere. A day without a new infusion of 
rumors was a day wasted. Though we had heard 
for some time that troops would be sent home 
in approximately the order of their arrival, the 
majority were quietly reconciled to spending the 
winter in France. But the return of A and B broke 
the spell ; and other evidence began forthwith to 
accumulate. Throughout these days all technical 
equipment was being returned to the regimental 
dump. We saw the last of our mortars and pro- 
jectors, our animals and our wagons. And then, 
too, all barracks bags and other baggage were 
hurriedly transported from La Ville-aux-Bois. 
Such facts, of course, offered soil enough to nour- 
ish reports of every kind. As the weeks went on, 
nothing could stunt the luxuriance of their growth. 
Wildest among those who knew nothing, they 
attained among the knowing a greater plausibility 
but no greater certainty. The cook had said that 
all the barracks bags were on their way to Brest; 



igo THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

the supply sergeant had been heard arranging for 
all trucks to be "salvaged"; Lieutenant Smith 
had seen an officer from G.H.Q. who had seen the 
very order; Lieutenant Brown's friend at Army 
Headquarters had said, "You fellows will be 
home by Christmas" — so the stories ran, each 
one adding relish till the next arrived. 

Appetizing rumors, however, were a back- 
ground, not a substitute for work. Discipline and 
routine were upheld without relaxation. Besides 
the daily drills and "hikes," provision was made 
for bathing and refitting. A new educational 
schedule offered novelty, with morning and after- 
noon lectures on chemistry, hygiene, civics, and 
other topics. Added to the usual "fatigue duties" 
and to the improvement and care of quarters, this 
general plan of work was in operation during the 
rest of our time overseas. Continuous also was the 
granting of leaves to both officers and men — a 
privilege long withheld by necessity, but now 
granted to the limit allowed. 

Yet even times of peace and steady routine 
could not save the regiment from the fate which 
kept us constantly on the move. After E Com- 
pany's arrival at Verdun on November 20, all the 
companies were at last together. Company C was 
then assigned to the First Battalion; and for the 
first time the units were symmetrically arranged, 



LAST DAYS 191 

with A, B, and C in the First, and D, E, and F in 
the Second. C then moved to join A and B in bil- 
lets in the town, and D, E, and F evacuated the 
suburban barracks and moved into others in the 
great Citadel. 

On November 25 the Commanding Officer re- 
viewed the regiment, and presented two Dis- 
tinguished Service Crosses that had been awarded. 
The occasion served partly to celebrate our new 
outward unity, but still more to symbolize the 
deeper unity that had always been ours. The 
regiment passed in review across a wide field out- 
side the walls of the unconquered city, and within 
sight of the hills scarred by so many battles. And 
the men who marched by were worthy of that 
setting of noble memories, for they were true 
veterans, and they had fought a good fight. 

The next day the regiment was again reviewed, 
this time by Colonel Schulz, the Chief Gas Officer 
of the First Army. Later in the afternoon followed 
a careful inspection of all quarters. On the 27th 
the First Battalion moved by trucks to the old 
home village of La Ville-aux-Bois, near Chau- 
mont. This latest instance of further movement 
prevented the regiment from uniting in celebra- 
tion of Thanksgiving Day; but on that day (the 
28 th), each battalion was able to feast mem- 
orably. Turkeys in ample numbers had been 



192 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

brought from Paris, and big dinners issued from 
every company kitchen. F Company cooked 
theirs in the great kitchens of the Citadel of Ver- 
dun. Each battaHon, too, assembled for services 
of thanksgiving, the Second Battalion gathering 
in the huge half-ruined "salon" of the Bishop's 
Palace at Verdun. These services were memorable 
not only for their setting, but because they ex- 
pressed a wealth of true gratitude on the greatest 
Thanksgiving Day the world has ever known. 

The two days following were occupied with 
further movement. Second Battalion Headquar- 
ters and Companies E and F moved by trucks 
to Choignes, and Regimental Headquarters and 
Company D to Chamarandes. In these villages 
and in La Ville-aux-Bois — all of them close to 
Chaumont — we were able to enjoy an experience 
without precedent in our history: six companies 
living in one area for a month. The time of the 
men was fully occupied in carrying out schedules 
of drill, athletics, and education, with added work 
made necessary by speeding our preparation for 
departure. Recreation was afforded by Y.M.C.A. 
huts or tents in the villages, with evening shows 
and movies, and with concerts by our own band 
and orchestra. 

A final regimental review took place on Decem- 
ber 4, accompanied by the presentation of addi- 



LAST DAYS 193 

tional D.S.C.'s and Croix de Guerre. On the same 
day Company Q breathed its last, after the trans- 
fer of its few remaining men to fill the ranks of the 
other companies. Some further shifts in personnel 
brought our organization into its final shape. A 
month earlier eighteen of our best enlisted men 
had been commissioned as second lieutenants. 
Their assignments, often to their original com- 
panies, gave an opportunity for congratulations 
upon a reward that had been fully deserved by 
long and distinguished service. Another change 
that gave high satisfaction was the assignment of 
Captain Steidle to the command of the First Bat- 
talion and the appointment of Major Carlock as 
acting Lieutenant-Colonel. Soon afterward we 
said good-bye to our two remaining British 
friends — Captains McNamee and Roberts, who 
returned to duty with the Special Brigade, Royal 
Engineers. Their difficult task as advisers and 
assistants upon our regimental and battalion 
staffs had been carried out with so much tact and 
professional skill and in a spirit of such genuine 
and helpful comradeship that we had learned not 
only to value them as gallant soldiers, but to feel 
that they were true members and lasting friends. 
With them and with their colleague Captain Wil- 
son (who had left us earlier) we sent our hearty 
wishes for good luck always. Within a short time 



194 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

we said good-bye to another group. At the urgent 
request of the Chief of the Chemical War Service 
in the A.E.F., six officers, several non-commis- 
sioned officers, and some twenty-four men, under 
the command of Lieutenant Stoepker, volun- 
teered to remain in France for several months in 
order to act as an itinerant "exhibition team" 
which should travel about to the various divisions 
and give sample "shows" by way of instruction 
in offensive gas warfare. 

On December 9 preparations for departure be- 
gan to take a more acute form. Most of our re- 
maining transportation was "turned in," all rec- 
ords were brought up to date, and other finishing 
touches were ordered. On the 13th, the regiment 
was reported "ready to leave," and every day 
thereafter we expected our departure within three, 
or at the most, four days. Life thenceforward was 
a tantalizing series of postponements ; and twelve 
days later we found ourselves celebrating Christ- 
mas in the same old billets. Though not a typical 
merry Yuletide, the occasion was by no means 
cheerless. Christmas services were held in the 
morning, and the day was later marked by big 
dinners for the men, by band concerts in two of 
our villages, and by the opportunity to open 
Christmas packages sent from home. The officers 
were the guests of the Colonel at a dance at the 



LAST DAYS 195 

Ch§,teau de Chamarandes, made memorable by 
the presence of other and fairer guests, and by the 
chaperonage of the local marquise. 

Within three days of this celebration came at 
last the orders to leave. On December 31 the en- 
tire regiment entrained at Chaumont, and began 
at 3.20 P.M. the first lap of its long journey home- 
ward. Reaching Brest in the early morning on 
January 3, we cheerfully detrained, and marched 
out to Camp Pontanezen expecting, after three or 
four days in barracks, to set out upon the high 
seas. But the worst was yet to come. 

This book is the story of how a fighting regi- 
ment fought; and it would be in keeping neither 
with its purpose nor with the spirit of the regi- 
ment to waste undue time in complaints. But 
Camp Pontanezen made a lasting impression 
upon our men, and the account of our three 
weeks there cannot be complete in a sentence. 

In the course of ten months at the front, in 
every variety of position and circumstance from 
Ypres to the Swiss border, our men had never had 
to submit to living conditions worse than those 
which surrounded them during their first week 
at Brest — and this, too, in a camp which had 
been under construction for over a year and which 
had been in constant use by most of our debark- 
ing troops. Conditions there were chronic which 



196 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

would not have been permitted by one of our 
commanders for more than a single day, even 
under shell-fire. But the story of needless and ar- 
rogant mismanagement — later remedied through 
influences outside the Army — is too familiar 
both to us and to the public to require repetition 
in detail. 

Our first week (spent in tents in the deep mud) 
was occupied in preparation for inspection, in 
''de-lousing" and the "checking" of equipment. 
During most of the day and often part of the 
night, the men were at work for the camp authori^ 
ties, laboring at roadmending, loading of ships, 
and many other tasks. On January 9 we passed 
inspection with high credit, and began at once to 
hope for early departure. But we had several fare- 
wells to say before we left for home. We had al- 
ready parted with Lieutenant Manon of the Med- 
ical Detachment (who had been assigned to serv- 
ice at Brest) — our cheery companion and skilled 
helper for thirteen months. It was the Colonel 
who was next to go. On the day of the inspection 
came the news that Colonel Atkisson had received 
orders relieving him of command and assigning 
him to other important duty in France. It was 
hard not only for him but for us that one who had 
been our leader from the first day of our existence 
to our departure for home, should not be able to 



LAST DAYS 197 

be with us to the end. There is needed no tribute 
here to the achievements of Colonel Atkisson, no 
reminder of what he has meant to the regiment. 
That record is spread upon every page of our his- 
tory.^ For a man who identified his purposes, his 
hopes, and his ideals so completely with those of 
his unit, the achievements of that unit afford the 
truest tribute and the most lasting memorial. 

On January 10 the Colonel reviewed the regi- 
ment for the last time and presented eight decora- 
tions newly awarded — four Distinguished Serv- 
ice Crosses and four Croix de Guerre ; and at the 
close he made a brief address to the men. The 
next day, after a banquet at Brest in his honor, 
the officers bade him farewell. 

Our last two weeks at Pontanezen were spent in 
barracks — quarters far superior to those we had 
first encountered. Belated efforts to improve the 
camp were also perceptible. The continuous rain 
of the first week later gave way to occasional clear 
weather. But the three chief factors of life — deep 
mud, hard labor, and wild rumors — filled every 
day. Before the close of our stay we lost three of 
our men, who died of influenza. Sergeant-Major 
Snelsire of the First Battalion and Privates Whip- 
ple and Hansen of Company A. Their deaths, so 

* See Appendix E for the award to Colonel Atkisson of the 
Distinguished Service Medal. 



198 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

long after the fighting was over and on the eve of 
our return to the rewards of home, brought es- 
pecially deep regret. 

At length came the close of the weeks of hard- 
ship and hope deferred. On January 23 we were 
given a final inspection ; the regiment was compli- 
mented for its efficient work and cheerful spirit; 
and the same afternoon orders arrived that we 
should embark the next morning on H.M.S. Cel- 
tic. We sailed on January 24 at 5 p.m. On this 
newly fitted ship quarters were comfortable and 
the food excellent. After a calm and prosperous 
passage of only eight days we reached New York 
on February 2. We anchored toward dusk, in the 
outer harbor, grateful to breathe again the clear 
air of God's country, and to see the dark shores 
around us starred with the lights of home. 

The next day we landed, and were transported 
to Camp Mills, Long Island. On February 5, still 
haunted by the fate that always kept us moving, 
we journeyed to Lakehurst, New Jersey, where 
the regiment was quartered at Camp Kendrick, 
the Chemical Warfare Service Training Camp. 
Two days after our arrival the regiment was re- 
viewed by Major-General Sibert, Director of the 
Chemical Warfare Service, and by Brigadier- 
General Fries, former Chief of the Chemical War- 
fare Service in the A.E.F. We owed much, and, 




r--*-//! 






LAST DAYS 199 

had the war lasted, should have owed still more, 
to the energy and imagination of General Sibert's 
vigorous administration. He knew us and our 
needs; and knowing our record too, he spoke to 
the officers and men of the fighting arm of his 
service in words of gratitude that were deeply ap- 
preciated, and in words of praise that had surely 
been earned. The presence of Mrs. Atkisson was a 
gratification to us all, and a compensation in part 
for the felt absence of the Colonel. 

Under the skilled guidance of the Camp Com- 
mander, Captain Bernheim, formerly one of our 
officers, the process of demobilization began at 
once. Thanks to his efforts and to those of Major 
Carlock and our other officers; thanks in equal 
measure to the natural value and ability of our 
men themselves, none was released without the 
prospects of future work. Slowly the units dwin- 
dled, until before the first of March the organiza- 
tion was wholly mustered out, and the First Gas 
Regiment passed into history. 



CHAPTER X 

THE THIRD AND FOURTH BATTALIONS 

Thanks to the work of the First and Second Bat- 
talions and to the leadership of our Commanding 
Officer, general indifference to the value of gas 
troops had yielded, by July, to an increasing real- 
ization of their importance. In response to what 
had become an urgent call, steps were taken at 
once to organize additional gas offense units. 
Officers from the active units in France were sent 
to the United States to form and train the four 
battalions required to raise the regiment to its 
authorized strength of 5000 men; and more offi- 
cers were later dispatched to begin the organiza- 
tion of a second regiment of 5000. Of these units 
planned only the Third and Fourth Battalions of 
the First Gas Regiment attained a growth suffi- 
cient to form part of our history. An account of 
their brief but energetic career has been written 
by Lieutenant R. M. Willis, who played a valu- 
able part in their organization. His words here 
follow. 

Major Charles P. Wood, Regimental Adjutant, and 
later commanding Company C in commendable oper- 
ations, came back to the United States in August to 



THIRD & FOURTH BATTALIONS 201 

direct the formation of the Third and Fourth Bat- 
talions. From four of the officers training camps he 
personally selected a personnel of young officers ; a de- 
bate in the General Staff as to where these battalions 
should be organized — Fort Myer, Virginia, and a 
small camp at Syracuse, New York, being considered 
— ended in a decision designating Camp Sherman, 
Chillicothe, Ohio, this camp being at the time in a 
favorable condition to meet the needs for men and 
equipment. Accordingly Major Wood and staff re- 
ported at Camp Sherman and established headquar- 
ters on October 6; one by one, as they were released 
from the training camps, the officers to comprise the 
commissioned personnel reported, and an intensive 
course of lectures and drills was given to fit them for 
leading gas troops. 

But the activity of the War Department seemed to 
end with the furnishing of officers; an anxious week 
produced no authority for men. A series of rapid-fire 
telegrams and letters, and assistance on the part of the 
Director of Chemical Warfare Services at Washington 
produced an authorization under date of October 11 
from the Adjutant-General for the required quota of 
enlisted men, 1584, to be supplied from the Depot 
Brigade at Camp Sherman. 

The first delay merely preceded a worse one; the 
epidemic of Spanish influenza, prevalent over the 
country, held Camp Sherman in strict quarantine; no 
transfers were permitted, and so through two weeks 
longer sixty officers were inactive awaiting the lifting 
of the restriction. 

On October 24 the first contingent of men arrived at 
the provisional regimental headquarters and were 
formed into six skeleton companies; for a week the 
men came in small groups. There then followed the 
sorting and eliminating process, and these men, with a 



202 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

bare amount of training and scant equipment, fell 
immediately into the spirit of necessary willingness. 
Close order drill, a brief target course on the range, 
nightly lectures on the nature of the work in store for 
them, the required medical examinations and inocula- 
tions, and much confusion and difficulty in adapting 
overseas combat equipment to these men, found them 
in two weeks prepared to leave Sherman for seaboard 
and France. 

Every consideration was extended by the camp 
authorities at Camp Sherman ; all assistance was given 
in supplying equipment, and in the routine formalities 
of paper-work the Camp Personnel staff was very 
helpful. 

On November 5 the organization reported "ready," 
and requested orders to start for overseas. It is ex- 
tremely significant that in the brief period of eleven 
days which had elapsed since the receipt of the first 
men, these six companies had accomplished the ap- 
parently impossible feat of organizing, officering, and 
equipping themselves for service. It is highly improba- 
ble that this record has been even approached. The im- 
mensity of the task is to be appreciated only when it is 
known that from five to eight months were required by 
divisions to prepare for service. The abnormal condi- 
tion following the epidemic and the recent departure 
from Camp Sherman of a division, had left a limited 
choice of available men ; and no table of allowances for 
equipment had been granted the organization by the 
War Department. These facts created innumerable 
obstacles in the way of securing supplies, which were 
overcome only through the efforts of the supply officers 
of the regiment and the generous cooperation of the 
camp supply officers. 

The day of the cessation of hostilities found the two 
battalions prepared for the journey to the port of era- 




H 

< 

X 
H 
»5 

O 

Q 
< 
Q 

2 

S 

H 

fc 
O 

t/3 

Oi 

w 
u 

o 



THIRD & FOURTH BATTALIONS 203 

barkation; thoroughly equipped, all arrangements 
completed to leave on a few hours' notice and the regi- 
mental impedimenta boxed and marked for shipment. 
For a week following, the organization was in a state 
of suspense as to whether it would be assigned to duty 
with the A.E.F., or in accordance with the rumored 
plan of immediate demobilization, would be mustered 
from the service. During the period before the War 
Department rendered a decision for demobilization, 
there was no relaxation of the arduous schedule of 
drills and maneuvers ; twice a week there was a formal 
review. Even as late as the last week of its existence 
the organization, loth to lose its identity, maintained 
a daily schedule of drills and discipline. It is to the 
credit of the officers and men comprising this unit that 
in a Camp review through the town of Chillicothe 
early in December, they were commended as the best 
drilled and best appearing organization in the parade; 
and general recognition of this same high efficiency 
was accorded it at all times. 

With characteristic dispatch and promptness in 
action, upon receipt of orders for demobilization, the 
six companies were discharged in three days, commenc- 
ing December 15. In conformity with camp regula- 
tions, the men were sent in order upon special trains, 
and clearances were granted the officers. In the haste 
of demobilization, the mass of personal equipment, the 
accumulation of special equipment, a stable of mounts, 
mules, and escort wagons, motor transportation and 
barrack space were ignored for future deliberate dis- 
posal; for the intricate accomplishment of necessary 
paper-work involved in transferring the accountability 
for this equipment required two months. 

However small the effectiveness of this little unit 
in the final story of the ending of the war, the record 
achieved in so small a space of time in fitting itself for 



204 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

a real part is powerfully suggestive of its possible use- 
fulness had it been permitted to join in action that 
now distinguished veteran, its older brother on "the 
other side." 

Major Wood, who was constantly missed by 
the regiment in France, had surpassed even our 
high expectations by the persistency and speed 
with which he had shaped and equipped the two 
new battalions. In his task he had been aided 
effectively and enthusiastically by six of our old 
officers and by a specially picked group of new 
officers. These officers and all the men under 
them attained a degree of unity and of regimental 
spirit that would have made them valued com- 
rades. Only the armistice prevented our receiving 
this heavy reinforcement; and not even the ar- 
mistice prevents our regarding these two bat- 
talions as a genuine part of the regiment, their 
battle laurels unwon, but their brief record not- 
able and full of promise. 



CHAPTER XI 

CONCLUSION 

The story of the First Gas Regiment, from begin- 
ning to end, covers a period of only eighteen 
months. Before August, 1917, we had no history, 
and to-day the unit no longer exists. But "one 
crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age 
without a name." In that "crowded hour" the 
regiment was created, trained, and transported to 
France ; as the only offensive gas unit in the Amer- 
ican Army it operated on nearly every section of 
the Western Front from Ypres to the Swiss bor- 
der; from July to November it fought in the van 
of the three great American offensives ; and before 
March, 191 9, it was reassembled, transported 
home, and mustered out. 

The First Gas Regiment was unique for its per- 
sonnel, interesting for its problems, and memo- 
able for its performance. 

Our personnel was typically American — repre- 
sentative in make-up, infinitely varied in scientific 
and mechanical skill, characteristic in spirit. Of 
the men nearly ninety per cent were volunteers. 
They came from every state in the Union, and 
from every walk of life. There was hardly a grade 



2o6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT 

of mental ability, from professors to illiterates, 
hardly a trade of practical or scientific value, that 
was not represented. There were so few without 
schooling and so many with a college training that 
it is doubtful if any other regiment can claim for 
its members a higher standard of education or a 
greater variety of mechanical ability. But not 
only in this diversity of origin and of skill was the 
regiment thoroughly American. In spirit, too, the 
group was ideally true to type. In initiative, in en- 
ergy, in humor, in united zeal for service, officers 
and men stood for the best that America breeds. 
The problems confronting the regiment from 
the day of its organization were many and serious. 
We were pioneers in a new field, called upon not 
simply to fight according to orders, but to blaze 
our own path, to win a place for ourselves — to 
prove our usefulness to our own side by proving 
dangerous to the enemy. Gas warfare upon sta- 
tionary fronts was a science well developed by the 
British Army, much neglected by the French, 
wholly unknown to the American. And gas tech- 
nique in open warfare was entirely untried. We had, 
therefore, first to learn and to practice, and then 
to teach and to popularize a new form of warfare. 
At the same time we had to struggle with a short- 
age of material and continually to adapt our tactics 
to the changing needs of a progressive campaign. 



CONCLUSION 207 

That our personnel was equal to our problems 
is clear from the record of our performance. That 
record is written in full throughout our story. Be- 
ginning as a unit wholly unknown, we won our 
way steadily to recognition, until we had ceased 
to be viewed as an interesting but dangerous lux- 
ury, and had come to be acknowledged an indis- 
pensable auxiliary. A purely self-made fighting 
organization, thrown upon our own resources, we 
won our small battles against ignorance and in- 
difference, and we helped measurably to win the 
great battle against the enemy. Working during 
June with only two companies, during July and 
August with only four, and for the rest of the war 
with only six, we carried out nine operations on 
the stabilized fronts, ten in the Chateau-Thierry 
offensive, thirty in the St. Mihiel, and eighty-four 
in the Argonne-Meuse — a total of one hundred 
and thirty-three actions. 

The imagination and the steadfast vigor of our 
leaders, the resourceful energy of both our officers 
and our non-commissioned officers, and the initi- 
ative and unflagging spirit of our men have writ- 
ten upon the record of the American Army a page 
of high achievement. 

THE END 



APPENDICES 



APPENDIX Ai 

OFFICERS KILLED IN ACTION: 

NAME AND RANK COMPANY DATE PLACE CAUSE 

2nd Lt. Hanlon, Joseph T. B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell 

2nd Lt. Rideout, Percy E. D 10- 9-18 Verdun sector shell 



OFFICERS DIED OF WOUNDS: 



NAME AND RANK 

1st Lt. Cordes, Paul H. 

1st Lt. Williams, Hubert C. 

1st Lt. Fleming, John V. 

1st Lt. Goss, Paul L. 

1st Lt. Owen, Nathaniel J. 

2nd Lt. Everett, Eugene W. 



COMPANY DATE PLACE CAUSE 

C 9-12-18 Bois le Prgtre shell 

D 9-13-18 St. Mihiel sector shell 

E 10-15-18 Verdun sector shell 

Med. 10- 6-18 Near Charpentry gas 

C 10- 9-18 Near Charpentry gas 

C 10- 9-18 Near Charpentry gas 



MEN KILLED IN ACTION: 

NAME AND RANK COMPANY DATE PLACE CAUSE 

Pvt. Neal, William K. B 3-21-18 Cite St. Pierre shell 

Pvt. icl. Gray, George C. B 3-27-18 Cite St. Pierre shell 

Corp. Dodd, Joseph C. A 4- 9-18 Sailly LaBourse shell 

Pvt. icl. Hass, Walter H. A 4- 9-18 Sailly LaBourse shell 

Pvt. Guilefuss, Harry H. B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell 

Pvt. Merkel, John B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell 

Pvt. Panuska, George T. B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell 

Pvt. Martin, Herbert B. D 8- 5-18 St. Thibaut shell 

Pvt. Mitchell, Roy J. D 9-26-18 Verdun sector M.G. 

Pvt. Gans, Joseph O. D 9-26-18 Avocourt M.G. 

Pvt. icl. Shields, Bert W. D 9-26-18 Avocourt M.G. 

^ The author assumes no responsibility for the complete accuracy of 
any lists in these appendices. None was compiled by him. They were 
furnished by Regimental, Battalion, and Company Headquarters, and 
he can only apologize in their name for errors or omissions. 



212 



APPENDIX 



NAME AND RANK 


COMPANY DATE 


PLACE ( 


CAUSE 


Pvt. 


icl. McAlpine, E. J. 


D 


9-^6-18 


Avocourt 


shell 


Corp. 


Buxton, Vernon C. 


A 


10-15-18 


Verdun sector 


shell 


Pvt. 


icl. Anderson, E. H. 


F 


10-31-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


Geagon, John J. 


Med. 


10-31-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


icl. Hansen, Hans 


F 


10-31-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


Mely, Arthur C. 


F 


10-31-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


Western, George H. 


F 


10-31-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


icl. Bleight, John C. 


B 


II- 1-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


Mayne, Robert N. 


E 


II- 1-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


icl. Partridge, George B 


II- 1-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Pvt. 


Slamon, James T. 


B 


II- 1-18 


Bantheville 


shell 


Sgt. 


Knouff , Arthur R. 


A 


11-10-18 


Verdun sector 


sheU 




MEN DIED OF WOUNDS: 




NAME AND RANK 


COMPANY DATE 


PLACE CAUSE 


Sgt. 


Patton, Gerald S. 


A 


8-14-18 


Sailly LaBourse 


shell 


Pvt. 


Whiteley, Roland 


D 


8- 6-18 


St. Thibaut 


shell 


Pvt. 


Prescott, Stuart H. 


B 


9-25-18 


Fismes 


shell 


Wag. 


Powell, Ellsworth D. 


B 


10- 4-18 


Verdun sector 


shell 


Pvt. 


icl. Digney, Joseph 


A 


10- 8-18 


Verdun sector 


shell 


Pvt. 


Mills, E. R. 


A 


10- 8-18 


Verdun sector 


shell 


Mast 


. Engr. Allen, F. L. 


C 


10-10-18 


Near Charpentry 


gas 


Pvt. 


Lane, R. J. G. 


D 


II- 1-18 


Verdun sector 


sheU 



APPENDIX B 



TABLE OF DATES 



1917 
August 15 
August 30 



Authorization of Regiment by G.O. 108. 
Captain Atkisson assigned to the regi- 
ment. 
First Battalion organized. 
December 4-5 Companies C and D organized. 
1918 

First Battalion lands at Brest. Company 

E organized. 
Platoons of A and B begin movement to 

British front. 
Companies C and D land at Brest. 
Company F organized. 
First independent action. Toul Sector. 
Second Battalion Headquarters and 

Companies E and F land at Brest. 
Beginning of Chateau-Thierry offensive. 
July ^-September 3. Operations on the stabilized fronts. 
September 12 Beginning of St. Mihiel operation. 
September 26-November 1 1 The Argonne-Meuse oper- 
ation. 
Signing of the Armistice. 



October 16 



January 18 

March i 

March 10 
April 5 
June 18 
July 12 

July 18 



November 11 

1919 
February 2 
March i 



Arrival of Regiment at New York. 
Regiment mustered out. 



APPENDIX C 

SAMPLE "OPERATION ORDER" 

HEADQUARTERS 
2ND BATTALION, ist GAS REGIMENT 
SECRET. AMERICAN E.F. COPY NO. i. 

September ist, 1918. 
Operation Order No. 41. 
Map reference, VIGNEULIES "A," 1-20,000. 

1. The following targets will be engaged by pro- 
jectors at a time to be specified later ("D" Day — 
"H"Hour). 

PROJECTORS. 

EMPLACEMENT NUMBER OF 
TARGET. SITE. PROJECTORS. AMMUNITION. 

42.90-52-50 

43.29-52-72 42.11-53-52 340 C. G. 

43-34-52.64 to .340 and 

43.01-52.41 42.22-53.53 N. C. 

2. Our lines at emplacement sites held by 26th Divi- 
sion, 5th U.S. Army Corps. 

3. Projectors will be installed by Company D, 1st 
Gas Regiment, assisted by Platoons from Companies 
E and F. 

4. Watches will be synchronized with 5th U.S. 
Army Corps time. 

5. Discharge of projectors will be at " H " minus four 
hours, Batteries will be inspected and unfired guns will 
be discharged twenty minutes after original discharge. 



APPENDIX 215 

6. Projector attack will not take place unless the 
wind is from 27 through WEST and NORTH to 03, 
and from two to fifteen miles per hour. 

7. A decision in regard to this discharge will be 
made by the Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, ist 
Gas Regiment, at "H" minus eight hours and com- 
municated to Division and Corps Headquarters by 
wire and written confirmation. 

Code. 

OPERATION WILL TAKE PLACE — MAINE 
OPERATION CANCELLED —CALIFORNIA 

8. If weather conditions are unfavorable at "H" 
minus six hours the operation will be cancelled by 
Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Gas Regi- 
ment. Messages being sent in Code of paragraph #7 to 
Division and Corps Headquarters. The officer in charge 
of emplacements can cancel at Zero if local conditions 
are outside of limits specified in paragraph #6. 

9. The Commanding Officer, Company D, ist Gas 
Regiment, will be at P.C. HARENCO, 41.04-54.16, 
from *'H" minus six hours until **H" minus four 
hours. He will maintain communication with his em- 
placement officers by runners. 

10. Messages from the position officers to the Com- 
pany Commander will be sent as follows : 

(o) Wind Messages — each half-hour from "H" 
minus six hours to "H" minus four and one- 
half hours. 
(6) All ready — when all preparations are com- 
pleted, 
(c) Number of drums discharged after final dis- 
charge. 



2i6 APPENDIX 

11. The area enclosed by 43.10-53.09; 42.00- 
53.54; 41.90-53.46 and 42.27-52.92 should be 
cleared of all troops as far as the tactical situation will 
permit from "H" minus four hours and ten minutes 
until **H" minus three hours and thirty-five minutes. 
Any troops left in the above area and in areas enclosed 
by 43 . 46-33-45 ; 42 .00-53 ■ 54 and 43 . 10-53 . 09 and 
42.27-52.92; 41.90-53.46 and 42.04-52.92 must 
wear box respirators from ''H" minus four hours and 
five minutes until the "All Clear" signal is given by 
their Gas Officer. 

12. It will not be necessary to camouflage this posi- 
tion after the discharge. All personnel, with the excep- 
tion of those needed for the later attacks, will retire tg 
the advanced billets. 



13. Please acknowledge. 



J. B. Carlock, 
Major, 1st Gas Regiment. 



Copies: 

1. CO. 5th U.S. Corps 

2. CO. 26th U.S. Division 

3. CO. 1st Gas Regiment 

4. CO. Company D 

5. War Diary 

SAMPLE ''OPERATION REPORT " 

OPERATION REPORT 
TO 

CO. First Gas Regiment ^^"^^ ^^■ 

August 5, 1918 
Reference Maps. 
VIOLU (Nord) 1/5000. 
I. Headquarters — Company A, 1st Gas Regiment, 
A.E.F. 



APPENDIX 217 

2. Engineer Companies Operating, Company A, ist 
Gas Regiment. 

3. Corps or division to which attached, 21 D.I. 33 C. A. 
(French). 

4. Purpose of operation, harassing enemy in new posi- 
tions. Prevention of further work in organizing 
new trenches as jumping-off place for seizing 
TETE du VIOLU. 

5. Wind limits — N. thru W. to S. 

6. Map reference of emplacements — (S) 54 -5-59 -8, 
(S-i) 54-7-58-7, (S-2) 54-7-58.6. 

7. Map reference of targets — 56.3-60.0, 56.2-59.0, 
56.06-58.65. 

8. Enemy Regiments affected — 80 LANDWEHR, 
others not identified. 

9. Zero Hour — 23.00 Aug. 5-6, 1918. 

10. Wind direction and velocity and weather conditions 
— West, 7 m.p.h. Misty overcast sky. Started to 
rain at i.oo a.m. Aug. 6. 

11. Number installed Cylinders. Projectors. Stokes 

(and type of Mortars, 

gas used) 

C.G. 495 300 

12. Number fired — 495 294 
Percentage fired — 100 98 

13. Reason for discrepancies (if any) 3 bombs stuck in 
guns and could not be removed, early in the shoot, 
putting them out of action. Enemy action made it 
inadvisable to hold a gun in position while biscuit, 
container and ammunition were being changed. 

14. Enemy action before, during and after attack — No 
rockets. Green and red flares at o plus 3 min. 
Heavy artillery retaliation at o plus 7 min. on posi- 



2i8 APPENDIX 

tions (S-i) — (S-2), on trench system, lines of 
communication, billets and artillery. Enemy 
apparently very much annoyed. 

15. Casualties. {Name of officers; regimental numbers oj 
other ranks.) {Since reconnaissance.) 

#915384 slightly gassed in clearing a trench of a 
short T.M.E. 

16. Time taken and men employed on operation — 7 
days and nights — 90 men for eight days. 46 more 
for four days. 

17. Infantry assistance obtained for operations — 4 ox 
teams for 5 nights. Trench mortar and artillery 
fire o plus 5 min. to o plus 10 min. 

18. Remarks — Information from photographs and 
deserter showed Germans creeping in to capture 
TETE du VIOLU. Intense fire for destruction 
two days previous by artillery and trench mortars. 
3000 shells, 2000 T.M.E. Quiet for two days to 
encourage enemy to return to work. Guns will be 
left in on position S for future use if need develops. 

W. F. Pond, 

Captain, Company A, 
1st Gas Regiment. 

Copies to: 

CO. 1st Gas Regiment 

L.O. Prov. Btn. ist Gas Regiment 

2 1st D.I. (French) 

33rd C.A. (French) 

Secret File 



APPENDIX D 

DESCRIPTION OF WEAPONS 

A brief description of the methods and weapons 
used by Special Gas Troops is given below: 

1. Projectors. These are steel tubes of approxi- 
mately eight inches in diameter and closed at one end. 
Three lengths were in use, the 2^6", 2' 9", and ^' o'\ 
weighing respectively about 65, 105, and 150 lbs. The 
guns were usually installed in batteries of twenty, by 
digging a trench 32 feet long, perpendicular to the di- 
rection of fire, with the side of the trench towards the 
line of fire sloped at an angle of 45°. Steel base-plates 
weighing 28 lbs. were usually used under each gun. 
After placing in the trench and covering with earth, 
the muzzle of the projector extends only slightly above 
the ground, making camouflage fairly easy. 

The projectiles used are cylindrical drums weighing 
about 65 lbs. and holding about 30 lbs. of gas or high 
explosive. After insertion of the propellent charge and 
drum, the twenty guns are wired in series and are dis- 
charged at "Zero" electrically by an exploder. 

Any number of similar batteries may be set up for 
use in an attack. After firing, the guns cannot be used 
again without resetting. The extreme range is about 
1850 yards. The guns are usually installed at night, 
sufficiently behind the front line to avoid direct 
observation. 

2. Stokes Mortars. The Stokes Trench Mortar, 
as used by Gas Troops, is 4" in diameter and 4' long, 



220 APPENDIX 

and rests on a steel base-plate and is supported by a 
stand consisting of two adjustable legs. The barrel 
weighs 90 lbs.; the stand 30 lbs,; the steel base-plate 
60 lbs. ; and if a wooden base-plate is attached to the 
steel base-plate, this will increase the weight of the 
base-plate to at least 70 lbs. The direction of fire is 
determined by the eye or by a compass. The range is 
adjusted by altering the propellent charge and the 
angle of elevation of the gun, which may vary be- 
tween 45° and 75°. 

The projectile is a cylindrical drum weighing about 
25 lbs. and holding about 7 lbs. of gas or its equivalent 
in high explosive, phosphorus (for producing smoke), 
or thermite (a mixture which produces a shower of 
molten iron on the explosion of the shell). The propel- 
lent charge is attached to the bomb. The gun is fired 
by dropping the bomb into the gun. On descending, the 
cap on the bomb strikes an anvil at the bottom of the 
gun. It is quite possible to fire 10 rounds per minute at 
night or 20 rounds per minute during the day. 

The extreme range is 11 60 yards. On account of the 
very short range it is necessary to install the mortars 
very far forward. 

The weapons described can produce a far more con- 
centrated cloud of gas than it is possible to produce 
with artillery. Hence the Special Gas Troops have a 
field which it is impossible for the artillery to fill. The 
artillery, of course, have a tremendous advantage in 
range. 



APPENDIX E 

AWARDS, CITATIONS, AND 
RECOMMENDATIONS 

1. One officer was awarded the Distinguished 
Service Medal, viz.: 

Colonel Earl J. Atkisson. 

For Exceptional, Meritorious, and Distinguished 
Service. 

He organized and trained the First Gas Regiment in 
a type of warfare new to the American Army, and di- 
rected the operations of that Regiment with marked 
distinction during the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse 
offenses of the First American Army. 

2. Two officers and 13 enlisted men were awarded 
the Distinguished Service Cross, viz. : 

Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C, R.F.A. 
Attached to First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism throughout the ad- 
vance across the Rivers Ourcq and Vesle, northeast 
of Chiteau-Thierry, France, 30 July to 6 August, 
1918. 

"Volunteering, he led a detachment of Engineers up 
to the front line on July 30 for the purpose of assisting 
the advance of the infantry with thermite and smoke 
bombs. That night he led his men through a heavy 
enemy barrage, exhibiting courage and leadership. 
For three days and nights he remained with his men 



222 APPENDIX 

in the extreme front line in the Bois Colas, greatly aid- 
ing in repulsing enemy counter-attacks by laying 
down barrages of thermite and phosphorous, cleaning 
out machine-gun nests in the same manner, and ena- 
bling our infantry to attack behind smokescreens. On 
August 5 he took another detachment into St. Thi- 
baut and brought ammunition into the village before 
it was occupied by our infantry and while the enemy 
patrols were still there. The advance of the infantry 
across the two rivers, the Ourcq and the Vesle, was 
greatly facilitated, and the lives of many of them 
were saved by the smoke screens which Captain 
McNamee so successfully prepared. Throughout this 
entire advance across these two rivers he conducted 
himself with extraordinary heroism, setting an ex- 
ample to the men of the regiment to which he was at- 
tached, constantly exposing himself to danger in mak- 
ing reconnaissances and at the same time shielding his 
men." 

First Lieutenant Percy A. Rideout {deceased). 
First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action at Cierges, 
France, 5 October, 191 8. 

Lieutenant Rideout made an extended reconnais- 
sance in advance of the outposts, fearlessly exposing 
himself to enemy machine-gun fire and being several 
times knocked down by exploding shells. The informa- 
tion he secured was valuable to the infantry, giving 
them knowledge of exact location of machine-gun 
nests. During the action this officer directed the laying 
of the smoke barrage from an exposed position, remain- 
ing at his station throughout the operation in spite of 
severe shell and machine-gun fire, and continuing to 



APPENDIX 223 

display the highest courage until he was killed by 

shell-fire. 

Corporal Arthur W. Jones. 

Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Cambrin, 
France, 8 April, 1918. 

While returning from the front lines on the morning 
of 8 April, 19 1 8, his platoon was subjected to a heavy 
shell-fire, several of the men being killed or wounded, 
the balance taking shelter near by. Corporal Jones per- 
sisted in leaving this shelter and searching for wounded, 
several of whom he brought back in the midst of the 
barrage. He carried on the work in an heroic manner, 
for the benefit of his comrades and with disregard for 
his own personal safety. 
Sergeant R. C. Brantley. 
Company D, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Malan- 
court Woods, France, 26 September, 1918. 

After his detachment had been ordered to the rear, 
Sergeant Brantley remained to administer first aid to 
a wounded comrade, bringing him to safety, through 
withering machine-gun fire. 
Sergeant ist Class George W. Neal. 
Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Bethin- 
court, France, 26 September, 1918. 

Voluntarily leaving shelter, Sergeant Neal and an- 
other soldier made their way, through a terrific enemy 
barrage of artillery and machine-gun fire, to the aid of 
wounded comrades, carrying them to first-aid stations 
and administering treatment. 



224 APPENDIX 

Corporal Orin E. Nay. 
Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Bethin- 
court, France, 26 September, 1918. 

Voluntarily leaving shelter, Corporal Nay and an- 
other soldier made their way, through a terrific enemy 
barrage of artillery and machine-gun fire, to the aid of 
wounded comrades, carrying them to first-aid stations 
and administering treatment. 
Corporal Hursey A. Dakin. 
Company F, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois de 
Jure, near Gercourt, France, 26 September, 1918. 

Corporal Dakin volunteered with another soldier to 
attack a machine-gun nest which was holding up the 
advance. They advanced against very heavy machine- 
gun fire and captured the position, killing two Ger- 
mans and routing the remainder of the gun-crew. 
Private Guy A. Nelson. 
Company F, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois de 
Jure, near Gercourt, France, 26 September, 191 8. 

Private Nelson volunteered with another soldier to 
attack a machine-gun nest which was holding up the 
advance. They advanced against very heavy machine- 
gun fire and captured the position, killing two Ger- 
mans and routing the remainder of the gun-crew. 
Private Herman O. Higgs. 
Medical Detachment, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Montfau- 
con, France, 26 September, 1918. 

Private Higgs worked continuously and heroically 
under withering fire from machine-guns, upon several 



APPENDIX 225 

occasions voluntarily going out ahead of the first wave 
to administer first aid to wounded soldiers. His untir- 
ing efforts and personal bravery saved the lives of 
many wounded soldiers and were a source of inspira- 
tion to the combat troops. 
Sergeant ist Class Henry C. Molter. 
Company D, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Mont- 
faucon, France, 28 September, 1918. 

Sergeant Molter volunteered and led a detachment 
to recover ammunition from a dump, which was under 
fire, and liable to explosion at any minute. Working 
under a heavy gas attack, he succeeded in removing 
the dump to a place of safety. 
Sergeant Harry Melvin Woods. 
Company D, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Mont- 
faucon, France, 29 September, 1918. 

While his position was under heavy and continuous 
bombardment of both gas and high explosive shells, 
Sergeant Woods voluntarily left his dugout and put 
gas masks on nine wounded soldiers, giving his own 
mask to one of them, and thus saving their lives. After 
being severely gassed by the explosion of a shell, one 
piece of which struck him, he continued to administer 
aid to the other wounded, and quit only when his eyes 
were swollen shut and he was completely exhausted. 
Corporal John P. Jordan. 
Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Nantillois, 
France, 5 October, 1918. 

After other means of communication had failed, Cor- 
poral Jordan voluntarily carried messages from the 



226 APPENDIX 

regimental post of command to advanced positions 
through several enemy barrages of gas and high explo- 
sive shells. He continued on duty even after being 
wounded, until he was exhausted. 
Corporal John C. Graves. 
Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Nantillois, 
France, 5 October, 1918. 

After other means of communication had failed, 
Corporal Graves voluntarily carried messages from the 
regimental post of command to advanced positions 
through several enemy barrages of gas and high ex- 
plosive shells. He continued on duty even after being 
wounded, until he was exhausted. 
Private C. P. M. Nelson. 
Company F, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near the Bois 
de BrieuUes, France, 9 October, 1918. 

Displaying remarkable perseverance and daring, 
Private Nelson, a runner, made his way, three hundred 
yards through a heavy barrage with a message for the 
commander of a Stokes mortar platoon. Later he vol- 
unteered to lead four wounded men back through the 
barrage to an aid station. On the way he met three 
other wounded soldiers, one of whom had been severely 
gassed and was unable to walk. Private Nelson carried 
this man to the dressing-station, knowing that his 
clothes were saturated with mustard gas. 
Private Andrew A. Benson. 
Medical Detachment, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Banthe- 
ville, France, i November, 1918. 

Severely wounded by shell-fire, Private Benson con- 



APPENDIX 227 

tinued to give aid to the wounded until struck the 
second time. After receiving the second wound he re- 
mained on duty giving directions for the care of other 
wounded. 

3. Thirteen officers and 32 enlisted men were 
awarded the Croix de Guerre, viz. : 
Major George L. Watson. 
First Battalion, 30th Engineers. 

A brave and energetic officer, commanding with the 
greatest skill, who knows how to win the confidence of 
his subordinates. He particularly distinguished him- 
self in a special operation. Owing to the measures 
taken by him, the operation was executed with success. 
Captain John B. Carlock. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An energetic and devoted officer, who gave proof 
of true military qualities in the execution of a special 
operation with which he was charged, and to the suc- 
cess of which he contributed by his personal example. 
First Lieutenant Ben Ferris. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An officer of great valor, who gave proof of true 
qualities of leadership and of bravery throughout a 
special operation executed by his company. 
First Lieutenant Albert W. Paine. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent officer, whose valuable cooperation con- 
tributed to the success of a special operation skillfully 
conducted. 

First Lieutenant Thomas H. Beddall. 
Company B, 30th Engineers, 

An officer of great valor who gave proof of true 



228 APPENDIX 

qualities of leadership and of bravery throughout a 
special operation executed by his company. 
First Lieutenant Jerome P. Webster. 
Medical Corps, 30th Engineers. 

A devoted and courageous doctor. In the midst of a 
violent bombardment he did not hesitate to come to 
the rescue of French soldiers who had been gassed. 
Second Lieutenant Horace E. Hall. 
First Battalion, 30th Engineers. 

He took part in the active preparation and execu- 
tion of a special operation, the success of which is due 
to his initiative and his intelligent collaboration. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph T. Hanlon. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent officer, whose valuable cooperation con- 
tributed to the success of a special operation skillfully 
conducted. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert W. Crawford. 
30th Engineers. 

An officer of superior and very brave character. He 
particularly distinguished himself in the art of special 
operations, and conveyed to all subordinates an ex- 
ample of bravery in the face of adverse artillery action. 
Captain Charles P. Wood. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

Has shown qualities of perception and courage in the 
preparation and execution of special operations, the 
success of which can, in a large measure, be attributed 
to him. 

Lieutenant Paul H. Cordes. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

A very cool and courageous officer. He proved to be 
wonderfully skillful in special operations. Due to his 



APPENDIX 229 

presence of mind, a change of attack was effected 
which dealt the enemy a far more serious blow than 
would otherwise have been the case. 
Lieutenant Raymond Weakland. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

Has shown himself to possess exceptional qualifi- 
cation in undertaking special operations. He was 
able by his courage and his ardor to successfully 
lead his men, who were under shell-fire for the first 
time, thereby assuring a complete success to the op- 
eration. 
Lieutenant Duncan McA. Johnston. 

In command of a group of projectors he conducted 
several attacks under violent artillery and machine- 
gun fire, in connection with the commander of the 
assaulting troops, during the actions of September 12, 
1918. He contributed in great measure to the success 
of the operation. 
Sergeant Flay E. Blair. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent non-commissioned officer who gave 
proof of courage and devotion throughout a special 
operation executed by his company. 
Sergeant Fred L. Allen. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent non-commissioned officer who gave 
proof of courage and fidelity in assisting his company 
in a special operation. 
Sergeant Charles J. Connors. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent non-commissioned officer who gave 
proof of courage and fidelity in assisting his company 
in a special operation. 



230 APPENDIX 

Sergeant F. W. Smith. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

He gave proof of courage and devotion in completing, 
in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory to a 
special operation executed by his company. 
Corporal Frank L. Faktor. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent corporal, gallant and courageous. He 
set a fine example of contempt for danger throughout 
a special operation executed by his company. 
Corporal Walter L. Stevens. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent corporal, gallant and courageous. He 
set a fine example of contempt for danger throughout 
a special operation executed by his company. 
Corporal John L. MacGuire. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent corporal, gallant and courageous. He 
set a fine example of contempt for danger throughout a 
special operation executed by his company. 
Corporal P. C. Smith. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

He gave proof of courage and devotion in completing, 
in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory to a 
special operation executed by his company. 
Corporal Simon Kunst. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

He gave proof of courage and devotion in complet- 
ing, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory 
to a special operation executed by his company. 
Wagoner Johnson Justice. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

Charged with the transportation of material neces- 



APPENDIX 231 

sary for the execution of a special operation, he bravely- 
carried out his mission under violent bombardment. 
Private ist Class Paul W. Soderquist. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

A gallant and courageous motorcycle rider. He carried 
out his duties under the most violent bombardments. 
Private ist Class Leonard Regan. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

A brave soldier, intelligent and devoted. He always 
gave proof of spirit and of good humor in the most 
difficult circumstances. 
Private ist Class William F. Evans. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An example of courage and of devotion, he always 
carried out perfectly the missions entrusted to him, 
often under violent bombardment. 
Private ist Class Ward W. Young. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

An excellent soldier. He always carried out his duty 
cheerfully even in the most trying circumstances. 
Private ist Class Eldon E. Welton. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

He gave proof of courage and of devotion in com- 
pleting, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work prepara- 
tory to a special operation executed by his company. 
Private ist Class W. F. Quinn. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

He gave proof of courage and of devotion in com- 
pleting, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work prepara- 
tory to a special operation executed by his company. 
Private ist Class T. D. Mbssler. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

He gave proof of courage and of devotion in com- 



232 APPENDIX 

pleting, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work pre- 
paratory to a special operation executed by his com- 
pany. 

Private ist Class John W. Estabrooks. 
Company B, 30th Engineers. 

He gave proof of courage and devotion in complet- 
ing, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory 
to a special operation executed by his company. 
Sergeant John T. Redmon. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

Has proved by his great intelligence, exceptional 
initiative, and interpretation of orders to be able to co- 
operate effectively toward the success of a difficult 
operation. 

Sergeant Byron T. Bartlett. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

Has proved by his great intelligence, exceptional 
initiative, and interpretation of orders to be able to co- 
operate effectively toward the success of a difficult 
operation. 

Sergeant Walter L. Jones. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

Has proved by his great intelligence, exceptional 
initiative, and interpretation of orders to be able to co- 
operate effectively toward the success of a difficult 
operation. 

Sergeant Richard C. Phillips. 
Company C, 30th Engineers, 

By his courage, his initiative, and his coolness, he 
showed that he was able to undertake a very delicate 
mission which was entrusted to him. He succeeded in 
spite of a violent barrage in bringing back all of his 
men to our line. 



APPENDIX 233 

Corporal George F. Keddie. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

He proved himself, in the course of special opera- 
tions, to have been very courageous and cool. He 
stayed with his gun, without thinking of the danger to 
which he was exposed; thereby rendering the maxi- 
mum of service. 
Corporal Clive E. Bassett. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

He proved himself very courageous and cool under 
fire. By his presence of mind he saved his comrades 
from certain death. 
Private Arthur F. Oilman. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

A dispatch rider, in charge of transmission of orders 
over a route rendered very dangerous because of hav- 
ing been under very great shell-fire, he acquitted him- 
self of his mission with a great deal of bravery. 
Private M. L. T. Wardlow. 
Company C, 30th Engineers. 

He proved himself, in the course of special opera- 
tions, to have been very courageous and cool. He 
stayed with his gun, without thinking of the danger to 
which he was exposed; thereby rendering the maxi- 
mum of service. 

Master Engineer Clyde W. Ahrens. 
Second Battalion H.Q. First Gas Regiment. 

(Citation unobtainable. But see Chapter VHI, page 
62.) 

Acting First Sergeant Victor C. Lomuller. 
Company D, First Gas Regiment. 

On September 12, 191 8, taking part with a detail 
charged with the use of a group of projectors, he car- 



234 APPENDIX 

ried out his mission with great bravery, in spite of a 
violent bombardment. 
Sergeant Charles M. Spiers. 
Company F, First Gas Regiment. 

On September 12, 1918, taking part with a detail 
charged with the use of a group of projectors, he carried 
out his mission with great bravery, in spite of a violent 
bombardment. 

Corporal Charles S. Hyatt. 
Company D, First Gas Regiment. 

On September 12, 191 8, taking part with a detail 
charged with the use of a group of projectors, he car- 
ried out his mission with great bravery, in spite of a 
violent bombardment. 
Corporal Ray S. Ferguson. 
Company D, First Gas Regiment. 

(Citation unobtainable. But see Chapter VIII, page 
60.) 

Private ist Class Edwin S. Stauffer. 
Company D, First Gas Regiment. 

(Citation unobtainable. But see Chapter VIII, page 
60.) 

In addition to the above awards actually made, the 
following officers and men were recommended for deco- 
rations, with these citations: 
I. For the Distinguished Service Cross: 
Sergeant ist Class George W. Neal. 
Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near T6te du 
Violu, Vosges, France, 5 August, 191 8. 

On the night of August 5-6, Sergeant ist Class Neal 
accompanied Private Fred J. McCray and Horseshoer 



APPENDIX 235 

Charles E. Arthur of his own free will, while under 
heavy shell-fire, and assisted in the discharge of a bat- 
tery of gas projector bombs which had failed to be dis- 
charged at the first attempt. 

HORSESHOER ChARLES E. ArTHUR. 

Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Tete du 
Violu, Vosges, France, 5 August, 1918. 

Horseshoer Arthur voluntarily accompanied Pri- 
vate Fred J. McCray and Sergeant ist Class George 
W. Neal of his own free will while under extremely 
heavy shell-fire, and assisted in the successful dis- 
charge of a battery of 20 gas projector bombs which 
had failed to be discharged at the first attempt. 
Private Fred J. McCray. 
Company A, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near T6te du 
Violu, Vosges, France, 5 August, 1918. 

Private McCray, inspecting his battery after a gas 
projector operation, found that his battery had fired, 
but that one near by had not. On returning to report 
this to Second Lieutenant S. A. Greenstone, a shot 
from a Stokes mortar exploded near him and he was 
severely gassed. Nevertheless he voluntarily returned 
to the position and, with the help of Sergeant ist Class 
George W. Neal and Horseshoer Charles E. Arthur, 
successfully discharged the battery. The German re- 
taliation was very heavy, and shells were bursting all 
around the position. 
Sergeant Glen O. McEwen. 
l6ist Infantry, Machine Gun Company. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de 
Gu^noville, France, 26 September, 1918. , 



236 APPENDIX 

While attached to Company F, First Gas Regi- 
ment, Sergeant McEwen, at Moulin de Guenoville 
(18.8-79.3 Verdun-A) on September 26, 1918, after 
observing two men of the 320th Infantry shot down on 
an exposed hillside by hostile machine-guns from the 
Bois d'en Del&, obtained permission from the platoon 
commander, and, in company with three men of Com- 
pany F, advanced over nearly two hundred yards of 
hillside exposed to heavy machine-gun fire and carried 
the wounded men safely to the protection of near-by 
trenches. 

Corporal Bryan Lempman. 
Company F, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de 
Guenoville, France, 26 September, 19 18. 

Corporal Lempman, in company with three com- 
rades, at Moulin de Guenoville (18.8-79.3 Verdun- 
A) on September 26, 191 8, risked his life to rescue two 
men of the 320th Infantry, shot down on an exposed 
hillside by hostile machine-guns from the Bois d'en 
Del&. Obtaining permission from the platoon com- 
mander, they advanced over nearly two hundred yards 
of hillside exposed to machine-gun fire and carried the 
wounded men to the protection of near-by trenches. 
Private ist Class Ernest E. Anderson. 
Company F, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de 
Guenoville, France, 26 September, 1918. 

Private Anderson, in company with three com- 
rades, at Moulin de Guenoville, (18.8-79.3 Verdun- 
A) on September 26, 1918, risked his life to rescue two 
men of the 320th Infantry, shot down on an exposed 
hillside by hostile machine-guns from the Bois d'en 



APPENDIX 237 

Delt. Obtaining permission from the platoon com- 
mander, they advanced over nearly two hundred yards 
of hillside exposed to machine-gun fire and carried the 
wounded men to the protection of near-by trenches. 
Since killed in action, November i, 1918. 
Private George Drechsel. 
Company F, First Gas Regiment. 

For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de 
Gu6noville, France, 26 September, 1918. 

Private Drechsel, in company with three comrades, 
at Moulin de Gu^noville (18.8-79.3 Verdun-A) on 
September 26, 19 18, risked his life to rescue two men 
of the 320th Infantry, shot down on an exposed hill- 
side by hostile machine-guns from the Bois d'en Delt. 
Obtaining permission from the platoon commander, 
they advanced over nearly two hundred yards of hill- 
side exposed to machine-gun fire and carried the 
wounded men to the protection of near-by trenches. 

2. For the Distinguished Service Medal: 
Major Charles P. Wood. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Major Charles P. Wood has devoted himself un- 
ceasingly to the welfare of this regiment. During the 
organization of the first unit in the United States he 
made every effort to master the technical details and 
assist in obtaining the necessary equipment with 
which to function. 

He manufactured and fired the first projector in the 
United States. 

A man of the rarest tact and judgment and the high- 
est ideals of service, he rendered invaluable assistance 
in developing an organization, trained in an entirely new 



238 APPENDIX 

phase of warfare, and which has proven itself in action. 

He took a company into its first action, and by his 
own fearless example and efficient handling, carried 
out a large projector operation. 

When it became necessary to return an officer to the 
United States to organize additional gas troops, he was 
selected as the man best qualified, not only because he 
thoroughly understood the needs of this special service, 
but because he knew and believed in the spirit and 
ideals of the regiment. 
Major John B. Carlock. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Major Carlock has proven himself a man of real 
abilit>^ and judgment, a leader of men, and has devoted 
himself intelligently and untiringly to the work of the 
regiment. His early grasp of the tactical possibilities of 
Special Gas Troops has been of the greatest assistance 
in their training and in directing their operations. 

He carried out the first independent projector opera- 
tion successfully, overcoming the greatest difficulties. 
The work of his battalion in both the St. Mihiel and 
Argonne-Meuse operations deserves the highest com- 
mendation. Always an example to his men and able to 
obtain their best efforts, nothing has been too difficult 
to accomplish. 

Captain James E. Mills, Engineer Officer. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Captain Mills, as Engineer Officer, has rendered in- 
valuable service. With a precise practical knowledge 
of chemistry, he so applied himself as to become mas- 
ter of the tactical use of chemical materials in war. 

He has left nothing undone which physical and men- 
tal endurance would allow. 



APPENDIX 239 

He has thoroughly acquainted himself with front line 
conditions, frequently exposing himself to enemy action 
with an utter disregard for his own personal safety. 

His absolute unselfish devotion to duty has been an 
inspiration and guide to the entire regiment. 
Captain Harris E. Dexter, Supply Officer. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Captain Dexter has rendered invaluable service. In 
a new service which required operations over an ex- 
tended front, including the development and opera- 
tion of many dumps, and in which the greatest difficul- 
ties were experienced in obtaining supplies, frequently 
necessitating the manufacture of certain elements, he 
has provided supplies, which has allowed operations to 
be carried on continuously. 

He has maintained a large fleet of transportation 
under the most difficult conditions. 

He has kept himself thoroughly informed of the 
operating conditions of the companies, frequently ex- 
posing himself to enemy action with an utter disre- 
gard for his own personal safety. 

With nothing too difficult, time no consideration, 
and prompted by the highest ideal of service, his work 
has been a series of achievements. 
Captain Edward Steidle. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Captain Steidle has worked untiringly and unceas- 
ingly for the best interests of the regiment and the 
service. While attached to the British forces his marked 
ability and eagerness to perform more than his allotted 
share of the work earned for him the highest praise 
from English officers. In the various companies of the 
regiment to which he has been assigned, his work as a 



240 APPENDIX 

platoon leader stood out preeminently. At the begin- 
ning of the Argonne-Meuse Battle, he assumed com- 
mand of a company whose personnel was entirely 
strange to him, and carried out operations which were 
of the greatest assistance to the infantry, inspiring his 
men to renewed efforts, after weeks of arduous toil, by 
his own courageous and cheerful example. Although 
handicapped by casualties among his experienced offi- 
cers and non-commissioned officers, which forced him 
to attend to many minor details personally, he was 
continually seeking new opportunities to be of assist- 
ance to the infantry. With no thought for himself, 
when severely wounded, he persisted in writing a 
note of instruction to his Second-in-Command before 
being evacuated to the hospital. 
Captain Roscoe C. Berlin. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Captain Berlin has proven himself an exceptionally 
efficient and proficient officer. His work, while with 
the British forces, received most favorable commenda- 
tion from the British Officers. Upon assuming com- 
mand of Company D, his every effort was bent on de- 
veloping it into the best company of the regiment, to 
which end he worked unceasingly and untiringly. His 
first thought was for the welfare and condition of his 
men. During the St. Mihiel Battle, under conditions 
that were entirely new, and in spite of obstacles which 
appeared unsurmountable, by his own cheerful and 
courageous example he inspired his men to carry on 
the work, though physically exhausted by days and 
nights of continuous toil of the most arduous nature, 
thereby rendering invaluable assistance to the assault- 
ing infantry. 



APPENDIX 241 

Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C, R.F.A. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Captain McNamee has accepted every duty and re- 
sponsibility which has fallen to his lot. It has not mat- 
tered what the duty was or what the conditions were. 
He has given himself and of his experience as gener- 
ously as it was possible to give. 

In the training and instruction of our officers and 
men he has been a man of infinite patience, always 
striving for thorough and tactically correct execution. 
In active operations, whether it has been in rendering 
advice or assistance to me, or actually directing the de- 
tails of front line work, it has all been prompted by a 
devotion to duty which has been inspired. 

In developing a more aggressive form of attack for 
the Special Gas Troops, his assistance, especially in 
the field, has been of the greatest value. 

His conduct has been exemplary, and, in the face of 
the enemy, courageous at all times. 

For his work with the First Battalion in the drive to 
the Vesle, he was awarded our Distinguished Service 
Cross. 

In the St. Mihiel drive, he walked fourteen (14) 
miles on the last night over roads and through traffic 
that a less resolute man would have considered im- 
passable, obtained some necessary supplies which 
made possible the carrying on of an operation which 
he himself supervised. 

In the Argonne-Meuse drive he spent forty-eight 
(48) hours in the foremost area at the time when our 
advance was the most bitterly contested, personally 
supervised the liaison and conduct of our first opera- 
tion in which gas was used in connection with an ad- 



242 APPENDIX 

vance of the Infantry. There is no question but that he 
was largely responsible for the very successful result 
obtained. 

His entire service with the regiment has been in 
keeping with these citations, and has been such that I 
have known that where our men were carrying on 
operations with Captain McNamee's assistance and 
supervision, that they would be well and correctly 
done. 

Second Lieutenant Eugene Wilfred Everett. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Lieutenant Everett has enjoyed the respect and 
loyalty of every man in his platoon, because of his 
willingness to share every hardship, discomfort, and 
danger with them. He was ever ready and anxious 
to respond to any call of duty and any order given 
to him, no matter how disagreeable or dangerous it 
might be. 

His work in installing projectors and Stokes mortars 
was marked with such good workmanship that very 
few, if any, rounds ever failed to fire. 

His work on the field showed that he was without 
fear. He was wounded on three separate occasions. 
One of these was by a machine-gun bullet during the 
Argonne-Meuse drive. After having it dressed, he re- 
fused to go to the hospital, because the company was 
short of officers, due to casualties. 

On September 14, while assisting Lieutenant Owen 
in putting on a smoke screen on the East of the Mo- 
selle River, at Pont-^-Mousson, to aid the infantry in 
making a raid on the Bel-Air Farm, he showed particu- 
lar courage and coolness. In order to see how effective 
this screen was, he decided to go over the top with the 



APPENDIX 243 

infantry. A shell struck in his immediate vicinity, 
wounding an officer and five men, the arm of one be- 
ing torn off at the shoulder. He immediately took off 
his belt and bound up the shreds of flesh remaining at 
the shoulder, and effectively stopped the flow of blood. 
He gave similar first aid treatment to the five other 
men, and carried the six to a place of safety. When 
these men were evacuated to the Hospital on the fol- 
lowing day, these original bandages were still intact, 
and the surgeon in attendance stated that the first aid 
rendered by Lieutenant Everett had saved the life of 
the man whose arm had been blown off. 
Lieutenant William B. Miller. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Lieutenant Miller has rendered services of the great- 
est value to the regiment. As officer in charge of bat- 
talion ammunition dumps, he was very efficient, work- 
ing tirelessly to prepare ammunition for the operating 
companies. Upon being assigned to Company B as a 
platoon commander, he immediately proved himself an 
efficient and able leader. During the drive at Chateau- 
Thierry his work was of the highest grade. On nu- 
merous occasions he volunteered for especially ardu- 
ous tasks, and carried them out most successfully. 
Throughout the Argonne-Meuse Battle his work was 
exceptionally brilliant. Although handicapped by the 
loss of many of his experienced men and being himself 
sick and suffering from bruises sustained by a shell ex- 
plosion, he continued to carry on, not only fighting his 
platoon in a masterly way, but in addition carrying on 
the liaison with the various infantry units to which he 
was attached, in a most diplomatic way. With no 
thought of self, he continued to lead his men until the 



244 APPENDIX 

last day of the battle, continuously inspiring them to 
renewed efforts through his own courageous example. 
First Lieutenant Wesley R. Grasle. 
First Gas Regiment. 

Lieutenant Grasle has unselfishly and devotedly 
performed all of his duties as an officer, in the com- 
pany and on the line, since arriving in France on the 
loth of March, 191 8; without the least regard of per- 
sonal sacrifice. 

His record on the line shows one of entire devotion 
to the Service and duty; his work and guidance in the 
line work has been of the highest standard. He led his 
platoon and detachments safely through all engage- 
ments without regard for personal danger. 

He participated in the Chilteau-Thierry Drive, in 
the St. Mihiel offensive and all through the Argonne- 
Meuse offensive. 

On October 15 and 16 he installed and fired 237 
C.G. gas projectors, on the Tenth French Colonial Di- 
vision's front, to project gas on the enemy-occupied 
areas in the vicinity of Ornes, without a casualty, al- 
though the vicinity of the position was heavily shelled. 

On November 6, 1918, while operating with the Fifth 
Division, and while leading his detachment of two 
platoons through Bois de Chatillon he found a com- 
pany of infantry separated from its officers. He re- 
organized this company, pushed through the woods, 
and connected up with the attacking companies on 
the left. 

In consideration of his thoughtful deeds and ability, 
together with willingness to accept responsibility as 
shown at all times, I therefore recommend that he be 
awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. 



APPENDIX 245 

Second Lieutenant D. L. Hough. 
First Gas Regiment. 

He enlisted as a private, and his work from first 
joining the company was of such a nature as to indi- 
cate that he was a man of marked ability. No matter 
how trivial or disagreeable the task was, he performed 
it with equal willingness and efficiency. His rise in the 
ranks of a non-commissioned officer was rapid, and on 
every occasion he demonstrated his ability as a leader 
of men. 

His loyalty to his duty, his untiring efforts, and his 
invariably volunteering for service on every occasion 
that presented itself were marked. 

During the first week in September, the infantry in 
the Toul Sector suspected an enemy gas projector at- 
tack along their front. Neither patrol nor air recon- 
naissance could verify this. Volunteers were asked for 
to enter the enemy support lines and farther, if neces- 
sary, to examine this work. Lieutenant Hough volun- 
teered, and was one of the two men who entered the 
enemy lines with a half dozen infantry-men and, after 
examining the situation, returned safely to their lines. 

In both the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse opera- 
tions, he was present with his platoon on every occa- 
sion. On October 3 a direct hit on a dugout occupied 
by the officers of the company made casualties of all 
of them and necessitated their evacuation to a hospi- 
tal. Lieutenant Hough, being the ranking non-com- 
missioned officer present at the time, immediately and 
effectively took command of the company without 
further orders, interviewed the officers of the division 
with which he was working, and, in accordance with 
their orders, made a reconnaissance, and completely 



246 APPENDIX 

arranged for firing on the target which had been given 
him. 

He was in every operation undertaken by his com- 
pany up to the time he was sent for to attend the Offi- 
cers Training School at Hanlon Field. 
Master Engineer C. W. Ahrens. 
Regimental Hdqrs., First Gas Regiment. 

He has worked unselfishly and unsparingly for the 
interest of the service. He has continually volunteered 
to do work outside of his prescribed line of duty. Dur- 
ing the St. Mihiel Battle he worked day and night 
transporting ammunition and supplies to the men in 
the line, and it was largely due to his resourcefulness 
and pertinacity that Company D was able to make its 
brilliant showing. Throughout the Argonne-Meuse 
Battle, until completely worn out by sickness and 
fatigue, his work was even more valuable. On one oc- 
casion he walked over twenty miles at night through 
the mud to obtain a truck for rations, this after having 
worked continuously for the previous thirty-six hours. 
When enemy aircraft were flying low and machine- 
gunning the infantry, he assembled a platoon of Com- 
pany D and brought down one plane by rifle fire. His 
cheerful, willing disposition under most adverse condi- 
tions was an inspiration to the men. 



APPENDIX F 

LIST OF OFFICERS AND MEN 

I. Commissioned Personnel of Regimental Head- 
quarters and of First and Second Battalions at 
stated periods. 

Dec. 26, 1917 
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS 

Major E. J. Atkisson Commanding Officer 
Major George S. Weinberg 

Captain Charles P. Wood Adjutant 

Captain James E. Mills Engineer Officer 

1st Lieut. Harris E. Dexter Supply Officer 

FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Major Louis E. Robbe Commanding Officer 

Captain John B. Stuart Adjutant 

Captain John B. Carlock Engineer Officer 

1st Lieut. Nathaniel J. Owen Supply Officer 

COMPANY A 

Captain W. G. Gribbel Commanding 

Captain Roscoe C. Berlin 

1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson 

1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 

1st Lieut. David Morey, Jr. 

2nd Lieut. Alfred A. Bernheim 

2nd Lieut. George Noble 

and Lieut. Joseph T. Hanlon 



248 APPENDIX 

COMPANY B 
Captain George L. Watson Commanding 

Captain F. Walter Pond 
1st Lieut. G. A. M. Schaefer 
1st Lieut. Albert W. Paine 
1st Lieut. Thomas H. Beddall 
2nd Lieut. Henry Stoepker 
2nd Lieut. Raymond Weakland 
2nd Lieut. William H. Knox 
2nd Lieut. Horace E. Hall 

\ 
COMPANY C 

Captain L. Lowenberg Commanding 

ist Lieut. C. S. Stevenson 

1st Lieut. Paul H. Cordes 

1st Lieut. James C. Webster 

1st Lieut. Alfred C. Day 

2nd Lieut. Scott Trammell 

COMPANY D 
Captain Arthur W. Geiger Commanding 

Captain Roscoe B. Dayton 
1st Lieut. Harry W. Favre 
1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. 
2nd Lieut. Duncan McA. Johnston 
2nd Lieut. John A. Caldwell 
2nd Lieut. Samuel A. Greenstone 

MEDICAL DETACHMENT 
Captain Phil J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. Paul L. Goss 
1st Lieut. Jerome P. Webster 

1st Lieut. Herve C. Manon Dental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. John S. McKee 



APPENDIX 249 

May 25, 1918 
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS 
Lieut.-Col. E. J. Atkisson Commanding 

Captain C. P. Wood Adjutant 

Captain J. E. Mills Engineer Officer 

Captain A. W. Geiger (Attached) 

1st Lieut. H. E. Dexter Supply Officer 

1st Lieut. J. T. Addison Chaplain 

1st Lieut. A. A. Bernheim Personnel Officer 

FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Captain G. L. Watson Commanding 

1st Lieut. Richard Catlett Adjutant 

1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson Supply Officer 

1st Lieut. Charles I. Dague Meteorological Officer 

2nd Lieut. H. E. Hall Engineer Officer 

COMPANY A 
Captain W. G. Gribbel Commanding 

1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 
1st Lieut. David Morey, Jr. 
1st Lieut. Edward Steidle 
1st Lieut. Edward V. Wetmore 
1st Lieut. George Noble 
2nd Lieut. Edward M. Robinson 
2nd Lieut. S. A. Greenstone 

COMPANY B 
Captain J. B. Carlock Commanding 

1st Lieut. Ben Perris 
1st Lieut. A. W. Paine 
1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall 
1st Lieut. Henry Stoepker 
2nd Lieut. W. R. Grasle 



2^0 APPENDIX 

2nd Lieut. J. T. Hanlon 
2nd Lieut. H. J. Bash 

PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Major L. E. Robbe Commanding 

Captain J. B. Stuart Acting Engineer 

Officer 
1st Lieut. F. L. Ahern Acting Adjutant 

and Supply Officer 

COMPANY C 

Captain Harold W. Sibert Commanding 

1st Lieut. P. H. Cordes 

1st Lieut. J. C. Webster; 

1st Lieut. A. C. Day 

1st Lieut. Raymond Weakland 

2nd Lieut. D. M. Johnston 

2nd Lieut. Edward W. CoUedge (Attached) 

COMPANY D 
Captain R. C. Berlin Commanding 

1st Lieut. H. W. Favre 
1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. 
1st Lieut. N. J. Owen 
1st Lieut. N. T. Sellman t 
2nd Lieut. W. H. Knox 
2nd Lieut. Edwin Smiley 

MEDICAL DETACHMENT 
Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. P. L. Goss 
1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 

1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. J. S. McKee 

Second Battalion Headquarters, Company E and Company 
F, in United States. 



APPENDIX 



251 



Sept. 12, 1918 
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS 



Colonel E. J. Atkisson 

Lieut. -Col. R. W. Crawford 

Captain J. E. Mills 

Captain H. E. Dexte. 

Captain N. L. Roberts, M.C., R.F.A. 

1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. 

1st Lieut. J. T. Addison 

1st Lieut. A. A. Bernheim 

2nd Lieut. F. C. Hamilton 



Commanding 

Engineer Officer 
Supply Officer 
(Attached) 
Adjutant 
Chaplain 
Personnel Officer 
Assistant Adjutant 



FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 



Major G. L. Watson 

Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C., R.F.A. 

1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall 

1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson 

2nd Lieut. H. E. Hall 

COMPANY A 
Captain Walter F. Pond 
1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 
1st Lieut. George Noble 
1st Lieut. N. T. Sellman 
2nd Lieut. William C. Cooper 
2nd Lieut. Fred C. Campbell 
2nd Lieut. F. L. Firebaugh 
2nd Lieut. Blake A. Williams 



Commanding 
(Attached) 
Adjutant 
Supply Officer 
Engineer Officer 



Commanding 



COMPANY C 
Captain L. Lowenberg 
1st Lieut. J. C. Webster 
1st Lieut. A. C. Day 
1st Lieut. Raymond Weakland 
1st Lieut. N. J. Owen 



Commanding 



2_J2 APPENDIX 

1st Lieut. E. V. Wetmore 
2nd Lieut. E. W. Colledge 
2nd Lieut. Eugene W. Everett 

COMPANY E 
Captain R. B. Dayton Commanding 

1st Lieut. A. W. Paine 
1st Lieut. R. B. Richardson 
1st Lieut. J. V. Fleming 
2nd Lieut. R. H. Hitchins 
2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr 
2nd Lieut. E. M. Robinson 

COMPANY F 
Captain Hiram J. Carson Commanding 

1st Lieut. Edward Steidle 
1st Lieut. Edward B. Blanchard 
1st Lieut. H. C. Shockley 
1st Lieut. Scott Trammell 
2nd Lieut. D. M. Johnston 
2nd Lieut. W. R. Grasle 
2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier 

SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Major J. B. Carlock Commanding 

Captain J. C. Akers Engineer Officer 

Captain D. M. Wilson, M.C., R.E. (Attached) 

1st Lieut. H. H. Corson Adjutant 

2nd Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Supply Officer 

COMPANY B 
1st Lieut. Ben Ferris Commanding 

1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 
1st Lieut. E. E. Luder 
1st Lieut. R. H. Catlett 
1st Lieut. C. L Dague 



APPENDIX 253 

2nd Lieut. H. J. Bash 
2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 
2nd Lieut. M. H. Zwicker 
2nd Lieut. Thomas Jabine 

COMPANY D 
Captain R. C. Berlin Commanding 

1st Lieut. H. W. Favre 
2nd Lieut. W. H. Knox 
2nd Lieut. P. A. Rideout 
2nd Lieut. R. C. Swarts 
2nd Lieut. C. E. Williams 
2nd Lieut. Edwin Smiley 

MEDICAL DETACHMENT 
Captain P. J. Keizer ,; Regimental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. P. L, Goss 1 
1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 

1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. J. S. McKee 

Sept. 26, 1918 
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS 

Colonel E. J. Atkisson Commanding 
Lieut.-Col. R. W. Crawford 

Captain J. E. Mills Engineer Officer 

Captain H, E. Dexter Supply Officer 

Captain N. L. Roberts, M.C., R.F.A. (Attached) 

1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. Adjutant 

1st Lieut. H. H. Corson Personnel Officer 

1st Lieut. J. T, Addison Chaplain 

2nd Lieut. F. C. Hamilton Assistant Adjutant 

FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Captain J. C. Akers Commanding 

Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C., R.F.A. (Attached) ^ 



254 APPENDIX 

1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall Adjutant 

1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson Supply Officer 

COMPANY C 
Captain L. Lowenberg Commanding 

Captain W. M. Page (Attached) 

1st Lieut. N. J. Owen 
1st Lieut. R. Weakland 
1st Lieut. E. V. Wetmore 
1st Lieut. A. C. Day 
2nd Lieut. J. B. Brumhall 
2nd Lieut. E. W. Colledge 
2nd Lieut. E. W. Everett 
2nd Lieut. Thomas Jabine 

COMPANY E 
Captain R. B. Dayton Commanding 

1st Lieut. A. W. Paine 
1st Lieut. J. V. Fleming 
2nd Lieut. E. M. Robinson 
2nd Lieut. R. H. Hitchins i 
2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr 
2nd Lieut. L. Thompson 
2nd Lieut. L. L. LeVeque 

SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Major J. B. Carlock Commanding 

Captain D. M. Wilson, M.C., R.E. (Attached) 

1st Lieut. J. D. Morgan Adjutant 

2nd Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Supply Officer 

COMPANY B 
1st Lieut. Ben Perris Commanding 

1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 
1st Lieut. E. E. Luder 
1st Lieut. C. L Dague , 



APPENDIX 255 

2nd Lieut. H. J. Bash 
2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 
2nd Lieut. M. H. Zwicker 

' COMPANY D 
1st Lieut. Edward Steidle Commanding 

2nd Lieut. W. H. Knox 
2nd Lieut. Edwin Smiley 
2nd Lieut. P. A. Rideout 
2nd Lieut. C. F. Williams 
2nd Lieut. R. C. Swarts 

PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Captain R. C. Berlin Commanding 

2nd Lieut. E. R. Acker Adjutant 

2nd Lieut. S. L. Menefee Supply Officer 

COMPANY A 
Captain W. F. Pond Commanding 

1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 
1st Lieut. George Noble 
1st Lieut. N. T. Sellman 
1st Lieut. R. H. Catlett 
2nd Lieut. F. L. Firebaugh 
2nd Lieut. W. C. Cooper 
2nd Lieut. B. A. Williams 
2nd Lieut. F. C. Campbell 

COMPANY F 
Captain H. J. Carson Commanding 

1st Lieut. Scott Trammel! 
1st Lieut. H. G. Shockley 
2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier 
2nd Lieut. W. R. Grasle 
2nd Lieut. D. M. Johnston 
2nd Lieut. E. B. Blanchard 



256 



APPENDIX 



MEDICAL DETACHMENT 
Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. P. L. Goss 
1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 

1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 

1st Lieut. J. S. McKee 



Nov. II, 1918 
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS 



Colonel E. J. Atkisson 

Lieut.-Col. C. K. Rockwell 

Captain J. E. Mills 

Captain H. E. Dexter 

Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C., R.F.A. 

Captain N. L. Roberts, M.C., R.F.A. 

Captain R. W. Balfe 

Captain G. J. Sielaff 

Captain H. H. Corson 

Captain J. T. Taylor 

1st Lieut. J. T. Addison 

1st Lieut. E. L. Sands 



Commanding 

Engineer Officer 

Supply Officer 

(Attached) 

(Attached) 

Adjutant 

Asst. Engr. Officer 

Personnel Adjutant 

Asst. Supply Officer 

Chaplain 

Chaplain 



FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Major L. Lowenberg Commanding 



COMPANY E 
Captain R. B. Dayton 
1st Lieut. E. M. Robinson 
2nd Lieut. L. L. LeVeque 
2nd Lieut. L. Thompson 
2nd Lieut. C. Cobern 
2nd Lieut. P. M. Nutty 
2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr 



Commanding 



J Special Company, R.E., B.E.F. 



(Attached) 



APPENDIX 



257 



SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 

Major J. B. Carlock Commanding 

1st Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Acting Adjutant and 

Supply Officer 



COMPANY B 
Captain Ben Perris 
1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 
1st Lieut. H. J. Bash 
1st Lieut. H. E. Stump 
1st Lieut. C. L Dague ' 
2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 
2nd Lieut. W. B. Adams 



Commanding 



COMPANY D 

1st Lieut. Bernard O'Brien 
1st Lieut. W. H. Knox 
1st Lieut. C. F. Williams 
1st Lieut. Eugene Sibert 
1st Lieut. S. Cutler 
1st Lieut. M. L. Lambert 



Commanding 



FIRST PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Major W. M. Page Commanding 

1st Lieut. F. L. Ahem Adjutant 

1st Lieut. S. L. Menefee Supply Officer 

1st Lieut. E. E. Luder Engineer Officer 



COMPANY C 
Major W. F. Lockwood 
1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall 
1st Lieut. R. A. Brodesser 
1st Lieut. C. L. Higbee 
1st Lieut. R. W. Millar 
1st Lieut. U. A. Lavery 



Commanding 



258 APPENDIX 

COMPANY F 
Captain J. C. Feeley, Jr. Commanding 

1st Lieut. E. R. Acker 
1st Lieut. D. M. Johnston 
1st Lieut. W. R. Grasle 
1st Lieut. J. C. Murray 
1st Lieut. C. D. Wadsworth 
1st Lieut. E. L. O'Meara 
2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier 

SECOND PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Lieut.-Col. S. Bunker, R. E. Commanding 

Captain M. Thomas, R. E. Adjutant 

COMPANY A 
Captain J. D. Morgan Commanding 

1st Lieut. H. C. Shockley 
1st Lieut. Edwin Smiley 
1st Lieut. J. B. Donoho 
2nd Lieut. F. C. Campbell 
2nd Lieut. B. A. Williams 

F, D, and Z Special Companies, R.E., 
B.E.F. (Attached) 

MEDICAL DETACHMENT 
Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 

Captain J. S. McKee 
1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 
1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 

Dec. 6, 1918 
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS 
Colonel E. J. Atkisson Commanding 

Major J. B, Carlock 



APPENDIX 



259 

Engineer Officer 

Supply Officer 

Adjutant 

Asst. Engr. Officer 

Personnel Adjutant 

Asst. Supply Officer 

Chaplain 

Chaplain 



Captain J. E. Mills 
Captain H. E. Dexter 
Captain T. W. Balfe 
Captain G. J. Sielaff 
Captain H. H. Corson 
Captain J. T. Taylor 
1st Lieut. J. T. Addison 
1st Lieut. E. L. Sands 
1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 
1st Lieut. H. J. Bash 
2nd Lieut. F. C. Campbell 
2nd Lieut. J. W. Polkinghorn 



FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Captain Edward Steidle Commanding 

1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall Adjutant ^ 

1st Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Supply Officer ^ 

2nd Lieut. S. W. Griffith Engineer Officer 



COMPANY A 
Captain J. D. Morgan 
1st Lieut. H. G. Shockley 
1st Lieut. Edwin Smiley 
1st Lieut. W. C. Cooper 
2nd Lieut. B. A. Williams 
2nd Lieut. R. C. Comley 
2nd Lieut. Arthur W. Jones 
2nd Lieut. G. W. Neal 
2nd Lieut. W. C. Howe 



Commanding 



COMPANY B 
Captain Ben Perris 
1st Lieut. Henry Stoepker 
1st Lieut. J. Donoho 
1st Lieut. E. M. Robinson 
1st Lieut. H. E. Stump 



Commanding 



26o APPENDIX 

1st Lieut. C. I. Dague 
2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 
2nd Lieut. W. D. Adams 
2nd Lieut. F. E. Blair 
2nd Lieut. A. A. Aardal 

COMPANY C 
1st Lieut. E. R. Acker Commanding 

1st Lieut. S. L. Menefee 
1st Lieut. C. L. Higbee 
1st Lieut. R. W. Millar 
1st Lieut. U. A. La very 
2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier 
2nd Lieut. H. K. Seeley 
2nd Lieut. R. L Griffin 

SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
Major L. Lowenberg Commanding 

1st Lieut. J. C. Webster Adjutant 

1st Lieut. R. A. Brodesser Supply Officer 

2nd Lieut. Rhys Carter Engineer Officer 

COMPANY D 
1st Lieut. Bernard O'Brien Commanding 

1st Lieut. W. H. Knox 
1st Lieut. C. F. Williams 
1st Lieut. Eugene Sibert 
1st Lieut. M, L. Lambert 
1st Lieut. D. M. Johnston 
2nd Lieut. H. K. Reed 
2nd Lieut. H. M. Rayner 
2nd Lieut. Robert Brantley 

COMPANY E 
Captain R. B. Dayton Commanding 

Captain E. E. Luder 



APPENDIX 261 

2nd Lieut. L. L. LeVeque 
2nd Lieut. Lauren Thompson 
2nd Lieut. Camden Cobern 
2nd Lieut. P. M. Nutty 
2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr 
2nd Lieut. P. F. Mousby 

COMPANY F 
Captain J. C. Feeley, Jr. Commanding 

1st Lieut. W. R. Grasle ^ 

1st Lieut. J. C. Murray 
1st Lieut. C. D. Wadsworth 
1st Lieut. E. L. O'Meara 
2nd Lieut. M. H. Zwicker 
2nd Lieut. H. D. Krebs 
2nd Lieut. E. H. Syms 

MEDICAL DETACHMENT 
Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 

Captain J. S. McKee 
1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 
1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 

2. List of Officers of First and Second Battalions with 
their rank when last serving with those units. 

Aardal, Albert A. Second Lieut. C.W.S. 

Acker, Ernest R. First Lieut. C.W.S. 

Adams, W. B. Second Lieut. C.W.S. 

Addison, James T. First Lieut. (Chaplain) i 

Ahern, F. L. First Lieut. C.W.S. 

Akers, James C. Captain, C.W.S. 

Alley, John Major, Infantry 

Atkisson, Earl J. Colonel, Engineers 

Balfe, Thomas W. Captain, C.W.S. 

Bash, Harold J. First Lieut. C.W.S. 



262 



APPENDIX 



Beddall, Thomas H. 
Berlin, Roscoe C. 
Bernheim, Alfred A. 
Blair, Flay E. 
Blanchard, Edward B. 
Borden, Howard C. 
Brantley, Robert 
Brodesser, R. A. 
Brumhall, John H. 
Burr, George C. 
Caldwell, John A. 
Campbell, Fred C. 
Carlock, John B. 
Carson, Hiram J. 
Carter, Rhys E. 
Catlett, Richard H. 
Cobern, Camden 
Colledge, Edward W. 
Comley, Roy C. 
Conard, F. U. 
Cooper, William C. 
Cordes, Paul H. 
Corson, Harold H. 
Crawford, Robert W. 
Cutler, Sewall 
Dague, Charles I. 
Day, Alfred C. 
Dayton, Roscoe B. 
Devlin, F. C. 
Dexter, Harris E. 
Donoho, James B, 
Douglas, Stephen A. 
Dozier, William A. 
Everett, Eugene W.^ 
Favre Harry W- 



First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, Engineers 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. Engineers 
Second Lieut. Engineers 
Second Lieut. Engineers 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Major, C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. Infantry 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. E.R.C. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. Engineers 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Lieut.-Colonel, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



263 



Feeley, John C, Jr. 
Firebaugh, Frederick L. 
Fleming, John V.^ 
Geiger, Arthur W. 
Goodrich, William 
Goss, Paul L.^ 
Grasle, W. R. 
Greenstone, Samuel A. 
Gribbel, W. G. 
Griffin, R. I. 
Griffith, Shelby N. 
Hall, Horace E. 
Hamilton, Frank C. 
Hanlon, Joseph T.^ 
Hardesty, G. R. 
Higbee, C. W. 
Hitchens, Robert H. 
Hough, David L. 
Howe, W. C. . 
Jabine, Thomas 
Johnston, Duncan McA. 
Jones, Arthur W. 
Judson, Proal, Jr. 
Keizer, Phil J. 
Kelly, Patrick '. 
Knapp, Ralph 
Knox, W. H. 
Kobbe, William H. 
Krebs, Harry D. 
Lambert, M. L. 
Lavery, U. A. 
LeVeque, L. L. 
Lockwood, W. G. 
Lowenberg, Laurent 
Luder, Earl E. 



Captain, C.W.S. ^ 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
First Lieut. E.R.C. 
First Lieut. M.R.C. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. E.R.C. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. Engineers 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, M.R.C. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. E.R.C. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain E.R.C. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Major, C.W.S. 
Major, C.W.S. ' 
Captain, C.W.S. ^ 
Deceased. 



264 



APPENDIX 



McKee, John S. 
McNamee, J. T. 
Malinka, Henry 
Manon, Herve C. 
Menefee, S. L. 
Millar, Russel W. 
Miller, William B. 
Mills, James E. 
Morgan, John D. 
Morey, David, Jr. 
Mousby, Paul F. 
Murray, C. J. 
Neal, G. W. 
Neeley, C. H. 
Noble, George 
Nutty, P. M. 
O'Brien, Bernard. 
O'Meara, E. L. 
Owen, Nathaniel J.^ 
Page, William M. 
Paine, Albert W. 
Perris, Ben 
Peterson, Alfred J. A. 
Polkinghorn, John W. 
Pond, Walter F. 
Pope, Frederick W. 
Rayner, Harry M. 
Reed, Harry K. 
Rhode, Leo M. 
Richardson, C. E. 
Richardson, Ralph B. 
Rideout, P. A.^ 
Robbe, Louis E. 
Roberg, P. E. 
Roberts, N. L. 



Captain, M.R.C. 
Captain, M.C., R.F.A., B.E.F, 
First Lieut. E.R.C. 
First Lieut. M.R.C. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Major, C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. Engineers 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S.*^ 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. • 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Major, C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. E.R.C. 
First Lieut. Engineers 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Major, E.R.C. 
Captain, M.R.C. 
Captain, M.C., R.F.A., B.E.F. 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



265 



Robinson, Edward M. 
Rockwell, C. K. 
Rust, John D. 
Sands, E. L. 
Schaefer, G. A. M. 
Schurr, H. B. 
Scott, W. E. 
Seeley, H. K. 
Shockley, Harry G. 
Sellman, N. T. 
Sibert, Eugene 
Sibert, Harold W. 
Sielaflf, G. J. 
Simpson, C. C. 
Smiley, Edwin 
Stanwick, Charles A. 
Steidle, Edward 
Stevenson, C. S. 
St. John, Adrian 
Stoepker, Henry 
Stuart, John Bruce 
Stump, Horace E. 
Swarts, R. C. 
Syms, E. H. 
Taylor, J. T. 
Thompson, L. 
Trammell, Scott 
Tucker, Rufus S. 
Twohey, J. C. 
Voge, A. L. 
Wadsworth, C. D. 
Watson, George L. 
Weakland, Raymond 
Webster, J. C. 
Webster, Jerome P. 
Weinberg, George S. 



First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Lieut. -Colonel C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
First Lieut. (Chaplain) '•• 
First Lieut. Engineers 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. Engineers 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, Engineers 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. E.R.C. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
Captain, Cavalry 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, Cavalry 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Major, C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. M.C. 
Major, E.R.C. 



266 



APPENDIX 



Wetmore, Edward V. 
Williams, Blake A. 
Williams, C. F. 
Williams, H. C.i 
Wilson, D. N. 
Wood, Charles P. 
Zwicker, M. H. 



First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Second Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
First Lieut. C.W.S. 
Captain, M.C., R.E., B.E.F. 
Captain, E.R.C. 
Second Lieut. Engineers 



3. List of men in First and Second Battalions ^ with 
their ranks when last serving with those units.' 



REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT 



Regimental Sergeants-Major 

Foley, James M. 

Killam, Walter H. 

Welcher, Eugene P. 
MO'Ster Engineers Senior 
Grade 

Hincken, Robert E. 

Pond, Henry V. 

Rupert, Karl C. 
Master Engineer Junior Grade 

Stansbury, Irvin E. 
Regimental Supply Sergeants 

Collins, Gilbert L. 

Smith, Mercer M. 
Sergeants 

Brant, Walter B. 

Carn, Fred L. 

Crowe, Edgar J. 



Daugherty, Albert C. 

Garrett, Hugh C. 

Hatton, Valentine. 

Kuhlthau, Miles H. 

McPherson, Daniel L. 
Wagoners 

Delaney, Frank L. 

Hamel, Wilfred J. , 

Turck, Pierre 
Cooks 

Dockins, Orme ^ 

Sullivan, William H. 
Privates First Class 

Clark, Newell A. 

Heimlich, Charles 

Hofifman, Burton N. 

Lappin, Frank L. 

Meinhardt, Walter J. 



^ Deceased. 

2 Men's names will usually be found in the unit to which they 
were last assigned. If you do not find them there, try elsewhere. 

3 Some promotions made after reaching Camp Kendrick are 
not noted. 



APPENDIX 



267 



Privates 

Corrigan, John F. 
Dunn, Arthur F. 
Gill, George V. 
Glossa, Frank J. 
Hoflfbauer, Walter F. 
Holton, Albert L. 
Hood, Raymond M. 
Joyce, John R. 



Kearney, Francis X. 
Litts, L. S. 
Martin, Charles 
May, Edward C. 
Mead, Winfield D. 
Potts, William K. 
Tibbetts, Wesley H. 
Wells, Glenn H. 



FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT 



Master Engineer Senior 
Grade 

Ahrens, Clyde William 

Allen, F. L.^ 
Master Engineer Junior 
Grade 

Craig, Harvey Clarence 
Battalion Sergeants-Major 

Snelsire, Joseph A.^ 

West, Walter W. 
Battalion Supply Sergeant 

Cooley, Charles R. 
Sergeants 

Carson, Alexander R. 

Weidman, Oliver H. 

Wilkerson, R. H. 
Corporals 

Bailey, Harry E. 

Perkins, Melville F. 
Wagoner 

Bousquet, Pierre H. 
Cooks 

Evans, Robert F. 

Morgan, William E. 



Mechanics 

Fewer, Walter S. 

Kelling, George H. 

Pelletier, Alfred G. 

Sabins, Lyle A. 
Privates First Class 

Crippen, Harley B. 

LePage, Wade G. 

Rothrock, Jess S. 

Wilkes, Frederick H. 

Zuercher, Jerome C. 
Privates 

Abbitt, Ray E. 

Adams, Clinton E. 
' Boyle, Harry 

Edwards, Myron J. 

Grover, Edward Roy 

Johnson, Glenn E. 

Kirkwood, James 

Kossmehl, Oscar H. 

Robinson, Aaron C. 

Spitzer, Exiward A. 

Stanley, Russell C. 

Stebbins, Ralph L. 
Deceased. 



268 



APPENDIX 



Straub, John G. 
Thelen, Gustave A. 
Thomas, Harry 



White, Carl 
Williams, Ray G. 
Wilson, Eldon H. 



COMPANY A 



First Sergeant 

Reed, Harry Elden 
Sergeants First Class 

Chaffin, Pierce V. 

Cobun, Walter H. 

Farren, John M. 

McConnell, Lewis D. 

McDonald, John F. 

Schaaf, Edward A. 
Mess Sergeants 

Patton, G. S.i 

Stauf, Fred L. 
Supply Sergeant 

Hense, Otto Paul 
Sergeants 

Blair, Millard F. 

Breitung, Charles A. 

Chatty, Arthur 

Dougherty, Wallace R. 

Eastman, Clifford I. 

Fleming, Frank L. 

Graves, John C. 

Hanauer, William E. 

Knouff, A. R.i 

McDonald, H. C. 

McGinnis, Thomas P. 

O'Connor, Edwin 

Pfann, Elmer Charles 

Westmoreland, John W 

Williams, Paul E. 

Wright, M. F. 



Corporals 
Arthur, Charles E. 
Bailey, Frederick 
Bamper, John W. 
Bonner, Barney E. 
Brockway, George H. 
Carlson, George W. 
Church, Calvin J. 
Clark, Thomas G. 
Davis, John 
Dilks, Joseph N. 
Dodd, Joseph C* 
Dudley, Ira Bean. 
Dumas, William A. 
Eastland, Van O. 
Fischer, Henry 
Hughes, Joseph F. 
Irwin, Frank R. 
Jepsen, Edwin 
Jewett, Henry C. 
Jordon, John P. 
Lewis, Howard A. 
Marks, Robert E. 
Maurer, George 
McDermott, Leo A. 
McKee, Edward R. 
Meyers, Joseph L. 
Morris, Louis M. 
Mulcahy, Daniel J. 
Murphy, Howard F. 
Nay, Orin E. 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



269 



Postle, William 

Richardson, William 

Rodgers, Karl F. 

Schmidt, Charles J. 

Sween, Olaf J. 

Whalen, James 

Williams, Ira 

Wilson, Overton S. 

Zick, William J. 
Horseshoer 

Phillips, William H. 
Saddler 

Carey, John C. 
Wagoners 

Carey, Edward Thomas 

Davis, Leonard J. 

Martin, Howard C. 

Molesworth, Roger W. 

Schrader, Norman Ray 

Seaton, Leslie F. 
Cooks 

Cain, John 

Christian, Albert H. 

Hicks, George William 

Parrish, Henry 

Smith, Audrey H. 

Spiers, Richard 

Williams, John 
Bugler 

Scharch, Ellis J. 
Privates First Class 

Armstrong, Harry H. 

Bandlow, George L. 

Basenger, Samson 

Beard, Ralph F. 



Bell, George N. 
Bjork, Henry 
Bond, Clifton B. 
Brown^ George C. 
Brown, Lennia 
Burns, James 
Buxton, Bernard C* 
Carhart, C. C. 
Carter, Edward C. 
Casey, Frank W. 
Chagnon, A. H. 
Chappell, Francis R. 
Clark, William L. 
Connor, William 
Cooner, John D. 
Cullin, Edward J. 
Curriden, Harry 
Dean, George S. 
Desjardines, Irenne 
Dinsmoor, Daniel S. 
Dixon, John N. 
Eitel, Charles A. 
Farmer, Ula R. 
Fearon, James 
Ferguson, Arthur 
France, Harry D. 
Froelick, Edward F. 
Giguere, Wilfred 
Gorrow, Mitchell G. 
Graham, William J. 
Hass, Walter H.^ 
Heck, John R. 
Hitchcock, James E. 
Johnson, James F. 
kidd, Mitchell T. 
Deceased. 



270 



APPENDIX 



Kinder, Ralph F. 
Kirkwood, Joy 
Latoski, Joseph P. 
Lawton, Frederick 
Lee, William Edward 
Libby, Philip N. 
Mahoney, David F. 
McKee, J. T. 
McKnight, Richard 
McNeil, Archie 
Moe, Claude P. 
Mohn, Newton C. 
Moore, Jewell E. 
Neal, Henry W. 
Nott, Charles L. 
Olive, Fred James 
Pawlak, John 
Poore, Leon 
Proctor, William 
Pryor, William J. 
Quig, Joseph B. 
Reade, Allen C. 
Revelle, Frank 
Rice, Leon S. 
Richards, B. J. 
Rutkowski, Joseph 
Shea, Thomas A. 
Sheerin, Michael 
Smith, A. M. 
Smith, Alfred M. , 
Stone, Everett 
Sutton, Harry R. ^ 
Tench, Robert C. 
Tunny, James P. 
Turner, Walter M. 
West, John J. 



Privates 
Abildgaard, Raymond R. 
Adams, Frank Chester 
Allen, Norman D. 
Amner, Charles N. 
Ansalone, John A. 
Babcock, James A. 
Baker, William P. 
Balensiefer, Julius 
Banner, Lionel A. 
Barry, John 
Beckner, Orville O. 
Beer, William O. 
Bell, Clifton 
Benton, Borin R. 
Bernard, August L. 
Billups, Paul H. 
Bishop, Noble H. 
Blackwell, Wilson M. 
Boisvert, Ernest 
Bond, Walter E. 
Bonney, Guy E. 
Bowe, Charles H. 
Brandt, Oscar A. 
Brean, Nicholas 
Broderick, William E. 
Brown, Harry J. 
Bruno, Louis 
Buckley, Michael 
Burns, James L 
Byer, Charles W. ,' 
Cade, John E. 
Campfield, Floyd ; 
Carey, Michael 
Carson, Henry Morton 
Clark, James W. 



APPENDIX 



271 



Clark, Roscoe E. ' 
Clinton, Harry C. 
Conlon, Emmett P. 
Coon, Perry T. 
Cotter, Louis J. 
Curtis, Jasper G. , 
Digney, Joseph ^ 
DiMayo, Robert 
Dodson, Manon W. 
Domler, ClifTord H. 
Eagan, Anthony 
Eddy, Hercy R. 
Ellis, Robert 
Ely, Austin L. 
Ewers, William A. ^ 
Fairhill, Lester E. 
Fenlason, Harris 
Ferguson, Frank M. BJ 
Flynn, Edmund D. 
Foster, Thomas E. 
French, Russell A. 
French, Walter A. 
Garr, Russell E. 
Geston, Mathew 
Gill, Charles F. 
Glass, Charles 
Godbold, John F. 
Gordon, Charles W. 
Grace, Harry 
Grayshon, Alfred B. v^ 
Greene, Perez W. 
Guilliambordo, Guisto 
Gulich, Leeds 
Hansen, Alfred A. H. 
Hansen, O. A.^ 



Harbert, Otto A. 

Harrigan, Charles R. 

Harrington, Carl L. 

Harrison, Ivan Roy 

Hester, Clarence 

Honack, William J. 

Honegger, Arthur H. 

Horrigan, Arthur 

Howe, Bertin 

Hubbard, McKinley 

Hughes, Arthur R. 

Hunter, Lawrence 

Johnson, Carl V. E. 

Jordon, Rodney V. 

Julleis, Joseph L. 

Kakascik, Ambrose F. 

Kearns, Joseph E. 
I King, E. A. 

Klauber, Lester 

Knollin, Loyal C. ' . 

Kranik, Frank 

Larson, Edwin 

Lawrence, Edwin J. 

Layden, Edward L. 

Leacock, William J. 

Lee, Asia A. 

Lenzini, Michael 

Leopold, Walter 

Livingston, Lawrence 

Lohse, E. D. 

Lowey, Martin J. 

Lynch, Frank, Jr. 

Lynn, Otto 

Magee, Patrick H. 

Mallory, H. 
Deceased. 



272 



APPENDIX 



Matthew, Robert M. 
McConville, Michael J. 
McCoy, E. P. 
McCray, Fred J. 
. McCullough, Perl J. 
Mcintosh, George J. 
McLean, Bayden P. 
McMahan, William E. 
McPherson, Colon Francis 
Metsker, Charles B. 
Middlemiss, John K. 
Miller, Roy R. 
Miller, Wyatt A. 
Mills, E. R.i 
Mills, Harry C. 
Minoprio, Arthur J. 
Mitchell, Orville M. 
Moriarity, Joseph J. 
Morrell, William M. 
Mosher, Hugh H. 
Moulds, A. R. 
Multer, Hugh J. 
Murray, James L. 
Nastad, John P. 
Newcomb, Theron 
Niles, Leland W. 
Nohilly, Joseph E. 
Nygaard, Oscar C. 
Oisten, Jesse L. 
Oliver, Charles C. 
Parker, John W. 
Pazdowski, William 
Peratta, Peter L. 
Peterson, A. G. 
Peterson, Victor 



Pollard, Claude B. • 
Povaelatas, Anthony 
Powers, Owen J. 
Pritchett, Charles C. 
Reilly, William P. 
Robinson, William S. 
Ross, Charles J. 
Ross, William E. 
Rudy, Henry r 
Russell, Joseph ^ 
Russo, George B. 
Sanders, Robert 
Schardin, Emory N. 
Scott, Robert A. 
Scully, Edward J. 
Seebeck, Charles O. 
Seeley, Archie L. 
Senkivitch, Konstant , 
Shanks, James 
Shine, Roland O. 
Shrott, Reuben 
Silvers, William L. 
Smith, Arthur L. 
Smith, Henry A. 
Smith, Robert W. 
Snelsire, Paul A. 
Snider, George L. 
Spasiano, Augustine 
Sutch, Andrew 
Thompson, John 
Thompson, John T. H. 
Tonner, Hugh A. 
Torok, August M. 
Towey, Martin, J. 
Trabue, Wilfred C. 



» Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



273 



Trosello, Minote P. 
Trowbridge, Wilbur P. 
True, John T. 
Turner, Henry 
VanBeuren, William A. 
Vaughin, Noal R. 
Vivian, Edgar W. 
Walker, Ira 
Walker, Russel T. 
Watson, Charles C. 
Weaver, Frederick G. 



Weese, Lloyd A. 
Wener, Sam 
Whipple, Leroy M.^ 
White, M. W. 
Wien, Gilbert 
Wood, Lawrence D. 
Wood, Neal E. 
Yant, Paul A. 
Young, Charles A. 
Zasple, Frank A. 



COMPANY B 



Master Engineers Junior 
Grade 

Frink, Ellis P. 

Morgan, Henry A. 

Wolcott, Arthur B. 
First Sergeant 

Hime, Gilbert L. 
Sergeants First Class 

Bailey, Earl H. 

Dogherty, James M. 

Hensley, Seth A. 

Huggins, Charles N. 

Martin, John J. 

Officer, Robert H. 
Mess Sergeant 

Gannon, George 
Supply Sergeant 

Hawthorne, Albert W. 
Sergeants 

Blakeslee, P. C. 

Connors, Charles J. 

Costello, Joseph J. 



Higginbottom, Harold J. 
MacDougall, John 
McCoy, Howard L. 
Mercer, Benjamin F. 
Nelson, Thomas 
Steiwer, William H. 
Taylor, James C. 
Tozier, Daniel P. 
Corporals 
Baker, Noris O. 
Beck, Weaver O. 
Conroy, Edward J. 
Evans, William F. 
Hansen, Henry M. 
Haskins, Charles E. 
Honack, Henry A. 
Keber, Henry 
Kunst, Simon 
Lewis, Bert 
Lewis, H. A. 
Logan, Aubrey E. 
MacNeil, Paul W. 
Deceased. 



274 



APPENDIX 



Manness, Bailey B. 

Mathieson, John T. 

Montgomery, Edward 

Morrison, William H. 

Nielsen, Henry E. 

Penland, J. H. 

Pfaff , John E. 

Plunkett, T. B. 

Quinn, Walter F. 

Regan, Leonard 

Ring, J. J. 

Roberts, George D. 

d'Romtra, Percy 

Schweitzer, Roland C. 

Shappel, Leonidas M. 

Slamon, J. B.^ 

Smith, H. N. 

Smith, Perry C. 

Staples, Ralph S. 

Swetland, Glenn L. 

Taylor, Virgil M. 

Terpstra, Dominicus 

Welton, Elden E. 
Wagoners 

Justice, Johnson 

Moody, Bernhard H. 

Moody, George C. 

Soderquist, Paul W. 

Steiger, William B. 

Woodward, William H. 
Cooks 

Breiling, Fred 

Murphy, Jerry J. 

Smith, Ralph C. 

Weil, Lester 



Buglers 

Foglietta, Emile D. P, 

Ross, L. E. 

Vaughn, Charles J. 
Privates First Class 

Ahl, Kinley P. 

Becht, Howell 

Beesley, Ellis, Jr. 

Bird, Thomas 

Bleight, John C.^ 

Bradley, Edward B. 

Buchanan, Samuel D. 

Cohen, Nathan 

Cohen, Samuel 

Conn, Clifford C. 

Cottrell, Theodore 

Culey, Joseph B. 

Cunniff, Leo C. 

Daymude, Ernest L. 

Dimond, Leonard 

Dowling, Fred H. 

Doyle, Edward F. 

Edwards, Henry C. 

Graham, John S. 

Gray, George C.^ 

Grimm, Emile G. 

Guinn, Raymond J. 

Hamilton, Robert 

Hauflaire, Henry J. 

Heim, William 

Hix, Robert H. 

Hyneman, Ray 

Jackson, Clifford S. 

Jones, Clyde L. 

Jones, David B. 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



275 



Keys, Paul M. 
Lally, Eugene 
Lawler, William J. 
LeFort, Henry B. 
Lussier, Walter J. 
Lyons, Arthur L. 
McCrea, Truman H. 
McDonough, James J. 
McGrail, Leo A. 
McMahon, John J. 
Mahoney, David F. 
Marlowe, John J. 
Meinert, William J. 
Messier, Thomas B. 
Murphy, John E. 
Murray, William A. 
Musser, Albert M. 
Neal, William K.i 
O'Brien, Joseph F. 
Orcutt, Milard H. 
Osmun, Frank M. 
Panuska, George J.* 
Reisinger, Roy R. 
Tarr, Arthur P. 
Thornburg, Herbert W. 
Twohig, John J. 
Wagner, Ernest B. 
Wagener, Willis W. 
Willet, Joseph 
Young, Ward W. 
Privates 

Ackerson, F. J. 
Adams, Wilbur C. 
Adamson, Reuben C. 
Alford, G. A. 



Allen, Frank M. 
Appenheimer, Fred M. 
Archer, Arthur W. 
Aspery, Harry 
Audrian, Calvert P. 
Baer, Francis 
Bakke, Einer A. 
Barnes, Chauncey B. 
Barrett, Theodore J. 
Berkman, Charles 
Billings, William F. 
Bissell, Milburn A. ' 
Bittner, E. L 
Bogardus, Edgar H. 
Bowin, Edwin H. 
Brady, Patrick 
Brown, James 
Brown, Peter L. 
Bryant, Sterling J. 
Bull, Eugene 
Burke, James W. 
Burmood, Arthur R. 
Capehart, Archie 
Chapman, Louis C. 
Clancy, Raymond 
Clark, Phil's. 
Clithero, Russell 
Clouse, Frank 
Connolly, Eugene T. 
Corl, Cady S. 
Cotese, Felice 
Cox, Alvin A. 
Cox, James J. 
Cram, Pierce E. 
Crummitt, Clarence E. 
Deceased. 



276 



APPENDIX 



Cummlngs, Ward W. 
Cunningham, William W. 
Currid, John 
Davis, Robert O. 
Daybert, George W. 
DeBaum, William H. 
Denver, Charles T. 
Desmond, Frank H. 
Devereaux, C. J. 
Diaz, Carl A. 
Diehl, Theodore V. 
Dyszelski, Joseph 
Eddy, Hercy R. 
Ellis, Asa G. 
Emmons, Albert M. 
Erickson, E. E. 
Erthman, John 
Estabrooks, John W. 
Fahy, John J. 
Faktor, Frank L. 
Farmer, Ula R. 
Fisler, Glenn P. 
Fite, W. A. 

Fitzgibbons, Michael J. 
Fleming, John M. 
Folsom, Harry W. 
Fontanella, Leo 
Foster, George D. 
Fuhrman, P. C. 
Fulcher, William H. 
Gaist, Gustav C. 
Gammell, L. W. 
Gates, R. P. 
Gillespie, Samuel 
Glenn, H. W. 



Goode, Roscoe C 
Gordon, George A. 
Grant, Richard J. 
Grassi, Salvatore 
Grimes, Charles A. 
Griswold, William G. 
Guilefuss, H. R.^ 
Hamilton, George D. 
Hamreus, Henry 
Harris, James L. 
Harrison, E. 
Harrison, Frank J. 
Harrity, Mike J. 
Haust, Charles W. 
Heller, P. R. 
Hickey, William J. 
Hoffman, Frank H. 
Humecky, Harry A. 
Imrie, Walter G. 
Johnson, James 
Johnson, Verne L. 
Johnson, William 
Johnston, Robert A. 
Jolley, John L. 
Jones, James P. 
Jusie, Walter 
Kelley, Edward 
Kerr, Wesley ^ 
King, Ernest A. 
Lauer, R. E. 
Lawrence, Wilber L. 
Lentz, Harry E. 
Lower, Lester R. 
Ludeking, Carl C. 
McAlpine, E. J.^ 



1 Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



277 



McCormack, Hubert W. 
McDole, G. R. 
McDonald, George A. 
McGuire, John L. 
McLaughlin, John P. 
McWilliams, F. E. 
Maggard, F. H. 
Mangum, Joseph M. 
Marlin, William 
Masse, Charles E. 
Mendenhall, Glenn A. 
Mendoza, Talesfero P. 
Merkel, John^ 
Michalski, Adam J. 
Miller, William H. 
Millzner, Melville 
Montgomery, Pearl E. 
Munyan, Jesse 
Newton, Clarence E. 
Noe, Earl J. 
Ober, Foster B. 
Olesen, Elmer V. 
Olsen, Carl C. 
Partridge, George * 
Potts, Carlton W. 
Powell, E. D.i 
Prescott, S. H.» 
Price, William B. 
Ramonda, Frank 
Rehn, Philip L. 
Rick, F. I. 
Ripka, G. W. 
Roach, Thomas J. 
Rogers, Guy 
Rollins, Chester B. 



Romkey, Leonard J. 
Rosenberg, George 
Rudman, Benjamin 
Rueber, Herman P. 
Russell, William B. 
Sager, Otto 
Salyards, Francis F. 
Saterlie, Oswald M. 
Scales, H. C. 
Schaeffer, Clyde R. 
Schertz, Benjamin C. 
Schmidt, Joseph A. 
Schwartzwalder, Joseph J. 
Seegars, James B. 
Shaw, David W. 
Simpson, R. VV. 
Sinsel, F. C. 
Skinner, Clifford H. 
Slaton, Frederic E. 
Smith, Charles J. 
So wash, Henry L. 
Spengel, Orville J. 
Stemmerman, Charles J. 
Stevens, Walter 
Stewart, George W. 
Stone, Charles A. 
Stowers, William B. 
Suttle, Walter A. 
Swem, Harvey F. 
Sykes, Harry J. 
Thomas, John W. 
Thompson, Fred 
Triner, James 
Troutman, Dewey 
Twardowski, Michael 
Deceased. 



278 



APPENDIX 



Turner, Fred 
Uffelman, Frank A. 
Vanderven, Hebert 
Verge, Henry R. 
Vreeland, Frank L. 
Wach, Stanley 
Wademan, Floyd E. 
Wagers, F. A. 
Walsh, Patrick 
Warren, William H. 
Watson, Claude R. 
Weber, Frank C. 
Webster, Enoch 
Wellman, Bert 
Wheeler, John T. 
Whitenett, Harold 



First Sergeant 

McGuffie, James J. 
Sergeants First Class 

Alexander, Neri L. 

Cameron, Jenks 

Cutler, Seth C. 

Eastwood, Marion B 

Harmon, William J. 

Redmon, John T. 

Webster, Clinton C. 
Mess Sergeant 

Geitner, Raymond J. 
Supply Sergeants 

Jones, W. L. 

Miller, Chester B. 
Sergeants 

August, Jack 



Whitman, F. W. 
Widdecombe, James 
Will, Edward B. 
Williams, Charles H. 
Williams, Edward R. 
Williams, Sidney A. 
Willis, John 
Wilson, Harry B. 
Wistrack, Thomas K. 
Yaeckel, Robert C. 
Yancey, Robert O. 
Young, Alexander M. 
Young, J. E. 
Zidek, Frank J. 
Zimer, Theodore F. 



COMPANY C 

Bartlett, Bryon T. 
Bringman, Ralph A. 
Carroll, Patrick E. 
Carroll, William F.i 
Gillenwaters, T. F. 
Goldsmith, L. C. 
Kaiser, John 
Keddie, George F. 
Ligon, Murray L. 
McRedmond, William H. 
Stearns, Lewis T. 
Turman, Byron A. 
Webb, John A. 
Wilcox, Harold L. 
Corporals 
Aldrick, Orth E. 
Bassett, Clive E. 
1 Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



279 



Bliss, Norman T. 
Bradfield, James P. 
Burns, Chester L. 
Butler, Mifflin M. 
Callan, Thomas H. 
Carter, Edward C. 
Cornett, Edward C. 
Davis, Robert E. 
Douglas, Dave W. 
Fox, Burton 
Herrington, Thomas J. 
Jackson, Charles H. 
Jones, Russell M. 
Jordon, Rodney B. 
Korfist, Jeremiah 
Kroth, George 
Larson, Minerd 
Lewis, Charles L. 
Littwin, Victor A. 
Livasy, Harold H. 
Long, John A. 
Lundy, William L. 
Mascher, Andrew A. 
McMann, John P. 
Mitchell, Burt L. 
Noonan, William F. 
Phillips, Richard S. 
Randall, Albert A. 
Randall, Walter K. 
Rhoades, Charles L. 
Schutt, Willard L. 
Scott, C. A. 
Smith, William L 
Street, C. E. 
Theberge, Wilfred J. 
Thompson, R. G. 
West, John B. ^ 



Wagoners 

Crowley, Daniel E. 

Ferguson, Dawn J. 

Field, James A. 

Goldthwaite, Fred E. 

Mueller, Henry E. 
Cooks 

Bowers, Joseph E. 

Collins, Joseph 

McGuire, James 

Millen, Edward R. ^ 

Munneke, Jack 

Ritter, Willard E. 

Schueler, Albert P. 
Buglers 

Bernock, Edward J. 

Lind, Carl E. 
Privates First Class 

Amond, Edward T. 

Auble, Frank J. 

Ausmus, Joe O. 

Berekel, Charles J. 

Berger, Carl E. V. 

Bolander, David D. 

Bunnell, Harry C. 

Carr, Alvin 

Conn, Ralph W. 

Conway, Edward F. 

Cunningham, Peter E. 

Dear, Richard D. 

Dearborn, A. G. 

Devenport, Fred S. 

Dunton, Samuel J. 

Erickson, Carl 

Florin, Andrew 

Fullerton, F. W. 

Garis, Walter L. 



28o 



APPENDIX 



Gaspard, Emile A. 
Gilman, Arthur F. 
Hagedorn, Walter E. 
Hand, Thomas 
Hastings, John E. • 
Holte, Oscar R. 
Ingenthron, Jake P. 
Jensen, Hans P. 
Jones, Harry P. 
Jones, Howard L. 
King, Albert E. 
Lehman, Harry L. 
Lindholm, John E. 
Mannette, John M. 
May, Darwin R. 
Mcintosh, James D. 
McNinch, William C. 
Menzies, Harry J. 
O'Brien, J. P. 
Pierce, Leslie A. 
Rucker, Warren H. 
Silverthorn, Maurice J. 
Soliday, Bert H. 
White, Douglas 
Yablonowski, Walter 
Privates 

Alcorn, Ernest S. 
Anderson, Andrew, Jr. 
Anderson, Leo E. 
Anthonisen, Raymond P. 
Appleton, Louis 
Auld, John F. 
Babcock, Harold W. 
Barnell, Carl 
Bella, Andrew J. 
Bellamy, Howard 



Bethke, Chester C. A. 
Bird, Joseph H. 
Blanchard, William A. 
Blankenbeckler, Perry 
Booth, Harold W. 
Bourne, John W. 
Bradley, Yonel G. 
Brandstetter, William 
Branyan, Clarence G. 
Brown, Alfred J. 
Brown, Thomas 
Brown, Walter S. 
Brumbaugh, L. T. 
Brunzell, Harry J. 
Burke, Albert H. 
Burke, Harold C. 
Butler, Mathew C. 
Butler, Noah 
Carroll, Douglas 
Chernoflf, Aaron S. 
Chewning, Harry M. 
Cimmino, Philip 
Cloud, James C. 
Cole, Jake Z. 
Collins, William H. 
Cotton, Richard W. 
Cowan, John 
Cox, Frank P. 
Crane, Walter E. 
Creakbaum, Willis 
Cribbs, George 
Crowe, Raymond J. 
Davis, Cecil J. 
DeFanti, Lino 
DeGraaf , Tice 
DiCrosta, Silvio 



APPENDIX 



281 



Dodge, Edmund W. 
Donaldson, Leroy L. 
Douglas, Herman A. 
Drummond, Donald 
Dumke, Hobart R. 
Durkin, Martin 
Ebling, Clyde S. 
Ehlang, Leonard 
Ellis, George E. 
Emery, Perley 
Emerson, Harry R. 
Endress, Clarence 
Engholm, Julius E. 
Eshbaugh, James M. 
Ezell, Luther E. 
Farrell, George 
Farrell, Leo P.* 
Ferguson, Arthur 
Finnell, Herney N. 
Fittro, Claude R. 
Forge, Louis 
Friedman, Robert H. 
Gardner, Elmer H. 
Garcia, Rafael 
Gargan, John P. 
Garrison, Arthur E. 
Garvey, John 
Gellock, Robert P. 
Goff, Horace P. 
Golden, Edward 
Gordon, Paul 
Gregg, Norman W. 
Grochowalski, Stanley 
Hagensen, Oxcel F. 
Hayward, Wardner J. 



Heeger, Joseph C. 
Heitzman, Warren S. 
Herbel, Frank A. 
Herbert, Albert L. 
Hibbard, Fred L. 
Hicks, Albert B. 
Hilbert, Roy J. 
Hill, Lawrence L. 
Hocking, William 
Hoff, Harry J. 
Hollinger, Albert L. 
Horton, William W. 
Howard, Charles O. 
Hoyt, Frank B. 
Hunter, Lawrence L. 
Johnson, Harold W. 
Johnson, P. J. 
Jones, Chesley 
Jones, Thomas W. 
Julian, Leo E. 
Keating, George J. 
Kirkman, M. R. 
Kottlowsky, Frederick E. 
Landen, Floyd W. 
Lange, Chester A. 
Larson, Harry 
Lesman, Antoni 
Letkeviez, John 
Linville, Elijah H. 
Livingston, L. H. 
Lowenthall, Charles R. 
Lowther, John M. 
Lumley, John W. 
Lumpkin, Stranghan N. 
Maio, Antonio 
Deceased. 



282 



APPENDIX 



Majar, James " 
Mckinney, James E. 
Manvell, Bill 
Markovich, Peter 
Martin, John E. 
Mauger, Winfield S. 
McGinnis, Charles A. 
Mcintosh, Fred 
McLennan, Claud D. 
Mills, Lloyd U. 
Mitchell, John A. 
Moody, George C. 
Moore, David C. . 
Morin, Roy F. 
Murphy, Patrick 
Naile, Ralph B. 
Nelson, Samuel L. 
Nelson, William P. ' 
Newberry, James E. 
O'Donnell, Manus 
Olejniczak, Leonard 
Oliver, William H. 
Orth, Herbert P. 
Palmer, Harry A. 
Parry, William V. 
Paul, William D. 
Perkins, Thomas L. 
Polansky, Joseph F. 
Polansky, Nicholas J. 
Porter, Thomas H. 
Pownall, George F. 
Prendergast, James H. 
Prescott, Carl 
Raser, James O. 
Reitz, Arthur E. 
Remick, Henry L. 



Rudkin, Charles N. 
Ruth, Harry F. 
Rybicki, Joseph 
Sanborn, Frank B. 
Sarrecchia, Salvatore 
Schulze, Alfred 
Scott, N. D. 
Sedler, Clem C. 
Sever, George P. 
Sheehan, Timothy H. 
Shepard, Vivian C. 
Shoemaker, Byrl R. 
Singer, Albert A. 
Smith, Carl E. 
Smith, Carl G. 
Smith, Edward M. 
Snell, David B. 
Stoffel, E. H. 
Tiffany, Albert M. 
Tolson, Robert 
Trodick, Harry G. 
Tripp, Percy E. 
Van Loghem, Stanley 
Verner, Morris S., Jr. 
Vigil, Estanislav 
Vossenberg, Girardus 
Wardlaw, Emile T. 
Welch, Joseph J. 
Weis, Roy J. 
Wickham, Maurice G. 
White, Ellis E. 
Williams, John F. 
Wilowski, Bronislaw 
Wilson, Carl H. 
Wilson, William C. 
Winston, John A. 



APPENDIX 



283 



Wood, Junius E. 
Woodberry, Neil O. 
Wortman, Martin S. 



Young, Orel E. 
Zaladonis, Anthony J. 
Zoeller, Elmer H.^ 



SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
DETACHMENT 



Master Engineer Senior 
Grade 

Killelea, Harry S. 
Master Engineers Junior 
Grade 

Blum, Harold P. 

Lomuller, Victor C. 

Raymond, Clinton D. 

Wheeler, H. T. 
Battalion Sergeant- Major 

Matteson, Herbert S. 
Battalion Supply Sergeant 

Maxwell, John B. 
Sergeants First Class 

Johnson, Charles G. 

Van Gorden, Alvin M. 
Sergeants 

Herbst, George E. 

Wilson, Harold E. 
Corporals 

Hunsacker, Jesse A 

Pray, Glenn C. 
Wagoners 

Bonner, James T. 

Draper, Leon T. ^ 
Cooks 

Compton, Floyd E. 

Monahan, Joseph 



Mechanics 

Sullivan, John L. 

Whaley, Jesse M. 

Wroan, John L. 
Privates First Class 

Dow, Donald B. 

Entenmann, John 

Kaffke, Caspar 

Mansur, Norman C. 

Metcalf, Charles B. 

Phelipow, William 

Quayle, George F. 

Quinn, Herman M. 
Privates 

Baker, James 

Bjornstadt, Benedict M. 

Caulton, Rolin 

Civelett, Joseph A. 

Cohen, Maurice 

Crowell, E. L. 

DeFreece, Paul R. 

Dunn, Henry S. 

Frear, Clyde L. 

Fristoe, John L. 

Hodder, William 

Wellington, John C. 

Westerberg, Carl C. 



» Deceased. 



284 



APPENDIX 



COMPANY D 



First Sergeant 

Molter, Henry C. 
Sergeants First Class 

Blagg, Henry W. 

Dean, John S. 

Jacobson, Simon 

Machinska, John 

Tucker, Lee E. 

Woods, Harry M. 
Mess Sergeant 

Burlingham, Vernon E. 
Supply Sergeant 

Nawn, James W. 
Sergeants 

Aldridge, Howard H. 

Henry, Lloyd E. 

Humphrey, Edward 

Lentz, Clarence J. 

Miller, Edward H. 

Rubino, A. 

Sharp, Maurice L. 

Sheldahl, Louis R. 

Shirley, Charles J. 

Sutton, Fred A. 

Tallant, William J. 
Corporals 

Anderson, Arthur W. 

Ashburne, Ray L. 

Baker, Walter L. 

Bowman, Elmer 

Daniel, Jay V. 

Finch, William M. 

Galloudec, Yves 

Hale, Donald 



Hall, William H. 

Hansen, Waldemar C. 

Harris, Amos N. 

Haviland, Stephen A. 

Hoehn, Alfred N. 

Hurni, Louis E. 

Ice, Francis W. 

Jacobs, Joseph 

Kraach, Fritz W. 

Labov, Benjamin 

Lane, R. J. G.^ 

Martin, Herbert B.* 

McGarvey, Owen 

Muir, John D. 

Noel, Arthur 

Nott, Ciba 

Pauly, Herman A. 

Preisach, Charles A. 

Rand, Miram E. 

Shevlin, James H. 

Smith, Lawrence B. 

Stafford, Harry R. 

Stauffer, Edwin S. 

Steevens, Charles A. 

Tlustos, James L. 

Van Schoick, Elmer 

Westlund, Ferdinand 

Williams, A. N. 

Williams, John A. 

Wood, Donald T. 
Horseshoer -, 

Yancey, William P. 
Wagoners 

Agnew, E. L. 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



285 



Friest, Edward A. 

Kramer, Clarence E. 

Long, Gregory D. 

Mendoza, T. P. 

Wheeler, L. H. 

Whitney, Wilber E. 

Wildenstein, Hurley D. 
Cooks 

Foley, Joseph 

Forbes, Earl S. 

Goff, Chauncey 

Guilfoyle, Fintan J. 

Holton, Albert L. 

McKechnie, Donald 

Upham, Harry L. 
Buglers 

Adams, C. E. 

Tilley, William B. 

Wehrle, Elmer W. 
Privates First Class 

Archer, C. W. 

Ashby, Joseph 

Bell, Clifton 

Bell, George N. 

Betts, Thomas R. 

Bibb, Carlisle H. 

Biers, C. W. 

Boell, Oscar E. 

Brodeur, L. P. 

Bronson, C. L. 

Bronson, Harry E. 

Burkhart, W. F. 

Coughlin, Fred L. 

Grossman, James D. 

Drout, William 

English, Joe W. 



Fitzgerald, John P. 
Gearing, William A. 
Gibbs, Joseph H. 
Gilman, L. 
Gonzales, Richard P. 
Haines, Henry C. 
Hernandez, M. 
Hill, Herbert G. 
Hilliard, Christian J. 
Hinger, C. S. 
Hughes, Charles H. 
Jacobson, George 
James, Ross M. 
Johnson, George J.^ 
Kern, J. A. 
Ketchum, Donald E. 
Key, Wadie E. 
Kirk, Frederick 
Kirsch, William R. 
Knapp, Robert C. 
Lentz, William J. 
Lingroth, Peter L. 
Marshall, Charles E. 
Marshall, Fred A. 
Martin, Marion G. 
McGuire, Peter J. 
Mitchell, Paul J. 
Morgan, Herbert A. 
Murchison, John W. 
Murphy, Sidney V. B. 
Neal, George R. 
Ninneman, Arthur H. 
Pils, Charles 
Prendergast, J. B. 
Prindle, Ray 
Pucilowski, Alex 



286 



APPENDIX 



Purvis, George M. ji* 
Quereno, Egnasio ; 
Racette, Eugene G. 
Reed, Roland C. 
Robbins, Donald E. 
Roberts, Edward 
Rockwell, Merwin 
Rognlie, Fred 
Schubert, Charles E. 
Scoville, Harold D. 
Shirley, Clifford 
Smith, E. E. 
Spieglemire, William L. 
Stadelman, Henry 
Swan, S. D, 
Swartz, Tony 
Thielhard, Albert 
Thornburg, Frank B. 
Wamsley, Albert L. 
Weaver, Erwin B. 
Webb, Finley G. 
Weiss, Sam G. 
Wilfon, Frank C. 
Yeaton, Geoffrey D. 
Privates 
Allen, John A. 
Axelroud, M. A. 
Baird, Frank 
Barber, Richard A. 
Barker, Glenn C. 
Barraby, Harold V. 
Barrett, L. R. 
Berridge, Howard 
Bishop, E. S. 
Blair, Lester R. 
Blocher, Elmer 



Bloxon, Leon R. 
Bocook, Isaac 
Boddy, Stanley 
Brand, Charles H. 
Brennan, James 
Brindle, Edward J. 
Brown, H. J. 
Bull, H. S. 
Burgess, Eugene 
Butler, Jay V. 
Chester, George H. 
Clifton, John 
Cole, Frank 
Coleman, Lonnie B. 
Corcoran, Michael F. 
Coyne, Patrick J. 
Crampsey, Joseph 
Dagiani, C. Mille 
Dalgaard, Grover 
DeAngelis, Louis 
Delisle, Louis .' 
Dignord, George \ 
Doud, Bernard J. ' 
Doyle, Eugene F. 
Dudley, Grover C. 
Dunn, Joseph R. .j 
Duran, Gavino 
Dwyer, Lawrence A. 
Ellis, James R. 
Ellison, Carl A. 
Fettig, George 
Forayt, Jaroslav 
Frost, Sam G. 
Gagnon, G. 
Gannon, R. H. 
Gans, Joseph O.* 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



287 



Gorgenschlitz, John J. 
Gould, B. F. 
Graham, Joseph B. 
Greenberg, Harry A. 
Griffin, T. R.i 
Hager, Martin C. 
Hahn, Jay N. 
Halton, R. J. G. 
Harris, Virgil A. 
Harrison, Frank, Jr. 
Hartman ^ 
Harvey, John 
Hayes, Lester C. 
Herna, Anton A. 
Hogenberg, Robert F. 
Hoyt, Charles 
Hughes, Julian M. 
Hyatt, Charles S. 
Irens, Fred W. 
Johnson, F. E. 
Jones, Tonie L. 
Keen, Charles Y. 
Kemmeter, Leon F, 
Kent, Lloyd S. 
Koethe, Fred 
Kruttschnitt, Edmund 
Landy, John J. 
Laroche, William 
Lawler, F. E. 
Lenihan, M. E. 
Levine, Abraham 
Ludwig, Mathias A. 
Lundquist, Albert E. 
Mack, Albert N. 
Mahoney, Dennis A. 



Markley, Samuel V. 
Maslosky, John 
Mathias, Rolandus S. 
Mattson, G. A. 
Maturin, Martin E. 
Mayhew, E. A. 
McBride, Arthur J. 
McCain, Henry J. 
McCann, John J. 
McCorkle, Sidney L. 
Mclntire, Thomas F. 
McKee, Dougall F. 
McLaughlin, E. F. 
Medaris, William R. 
Mendel, Michael 
Miner, Rafael 
Mitchell, R. J.^ 
Moore, Thomas T. 
Murphy, Thomas G. 
Murray, Michael 
Neeb, Stewart W. 
Nelson, J. P. 
Newberry, James E. 
Nilles, Anthony J. 
Pennuala, A, J. 
Perkins, Russell P. 
Perry, Frank 
Phillips, H. B. 
Piccardo, Francis S. 
Praino, Henry E. R. 
Ragishowski, William 
Reeves, Paul F. 
Riley, Walter A., Jr. 
Ross, Vern R. 
Rousseau, Joseph R. 
Deceased. 



288 



APPENDIX 



Rumley, Charles C. 
Sadler, Frank 
Schroedel, John 
Shea, Joseph 
Shields, Bert W.i 
Simonowich, John 
Skinner, Horace R. 
Smith, M. E. 
Snuffin, James E. 
Soucie, Willford F. 
Splittstosher, Robert 
Stanton, Walter A. 
Stauck, A. G. 
Strange, Edwin B. 
Swanstrom, Clarence E. 
Tank, R. L. 
Temple, John J. 
Theiler, Louis 
Thomas, Guy I. 
Thompson, George M. 
Thorpe, William R. 
Tilley, Basil G. 
Todd, Phillip 
Touw, Bernard 
Townsend, Cecil P. 
Trossman, Joseph H. 



Truman, Charles 
Van Arnam, Elmer 
Van Camp, Lloyd R. 
Van Gissen, Leo 
Van Noy, William R. 
Vogel, Clifton D. 
Wandless, Robert 
Wate, Wessley J. . 
Wazecha, John 
Wedow, George J. ■ 
Weisman, Alva J. 
Wendt, William F. 
West, Dick 
Westbrook, N. S. , 
Whisler, Percy E. ' 
White, Arvid ■. 
Whiteley, R. G.i 
Whiting, Earl G. 
Widner, Percey E. 
Wilkins, Virgil E. 
Williams, Hannibal 
Williams, John F. 
Williams, Morgan J. 
Womack, Kenneth 
Young, Jay A. 



COMPANY E 



Master Engineers Senior 
Grade 
Allan, Arthur C. 
Henry, Duncan C. 
Hughes, Jennings P. 
Kent, Victor H. 
Palackey, Frank P. 
Test, Clarence R. 



Tieman, Arnold W. - 
Tuttle, Mearl J. 
Master Engineers Junior 
Grade 
Collier, Edward C. 
Herza, Frederick W. 
Langer, William L. 
Lusk, Thomas S. 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



289 



McDade, Edward B. 

Rick, Forest S. 

Torrey, Prescott H. 

VVeldy, Daniel W. 
First Sergeant 

Heagney, William T. 
Sergeant First Class 

Taylor, Thomas D. 
Sergeants 

Casey, John F. 

Grain, Hersey N. 

Curtis, Ray E. 

Davis, Clarence G. 

Flores, Frank A. 

Gamier, James J. 

Gilmore, Clayton 

Gray, Charles P. 

Haller, Edward J. 

Hansen, Finer A. 

Lively, Carlos A. 

Mclntyre, Robert A. 

McMillan, Harvey C. 

Miller, Louis P. 

O'Neil, James 

Peck, John H. 

Ryg, Clarence N. 

Shuckero, Frederick J. 

Sivard, Dean V. 

Spriggs, Herbert S. 

Taylor, George W. 

Tuttle, George W. 

Wenzel, Rudolph A. 
Corporals 

Anthony, Richard L. 

Bandurraga, Thomas M. 

Barker, James F. 



Brittain, Herbert 
Coe, Foster W. 
Day, Robin D. 
Dowd, Patrick 
Erskine, Ralph M. 
Fisher, Jack C. 
Giffin, Warley 
Hamilton, Amos 
Hanneman, Joseph J. 
Harmon, Forest B. 
Johnston, R. A. 
Lindsay, John O. 
Logan, Roy J. 
McMahon, Earl E. 
MacMullin, Robert B. 
Markle, Robert E. 
McLaughlin, James F. 
McManus, George F. 
McManus, James F. 
Meyerowitz, Leo 
Morrison, Frederick 
Murray, John J. 
Neighbours, Ray E. 
Peteffi, Oliver L. 
Peterson, Clarence R. 
Pratt, Charles H. 
Quamon, Lenord J. 
Reichard, Albert H. 
Schell, Jacob D. 
Shanks, Robert G. 
Spayde, James L, 
Sprick, Henry C. 
Williams, William C. 
Wilson, Fred J. 
Zangger, Karl 



290 



APPENDIX 



Wagoners 

Baumgartner, Herman F. 

Stone, Harry G. 

Thorp, Joseph V. 

Winger, Harold M. 
Cooks 

Collins, Joseph 

Flannery, Stephen A. 

Keating, John T. 

Long, Elmer 

Messmer, Charles 

Taggart, Frank 

Youngberg, Gustave A. 
Bugler 

Watkins, John 
Privates First Class 

Arndt, Ralph M. 

Billings, Hezekiah 

Bingham, Carleton R. 

Blair, Lester D. 

Brassaemle, Robert M. 

Brown, Jesse 

Brown, Lloyd L. 

Cheek, Ben R. 

Clifford, Carl R. 

Conn, Asahel E. 

Corbett, William L. 

Cottingham, William H. 

Crotshin, Frank 

Domler, Clifford H. 

Donley, Homer A. 

Dyker, Gordon S. 

Edmonds, Edward M. 

Erskine, George R. 

Fitzgerald, Leo G. 

Fletcher, Forrest E. 



Fletcher, Harold R. 
Gilbertson, Charles E. 
Gooch, William G. 
Gourdin, Theodor T. 
Gray, Leslie 
Gries, Frank F. 
Halk, Nathan B. 
Hancock, James 
Haught, Albert B. 
Home, Thomas L. 
Hughes, Patrick R. 
Hurley, John W. 
Hyatt, Roland 
Kenney, Raymond 
Kerns, Edward J. 
Kommer, Harry Z. 
Lindsay, Frederick 
Llewellyn, Richard, Jr. 
Lorigan, John F. 
MacNamara, Leo W. 
Marks, Albert 
Martin, Ira A. 
Matheny, William G. 
Merlone, Eugene 
Miller, John G. 
Miller, Earl 
Miller, Paul W. 
Morse, Floyd L 
Mowery, Lawrence A. 
Noel, Prosper L. 
O'Brien, Howard C. 
O'Neil, John F. 
Orrison, Arthur N. 
Patterson, James T. 
Penick, Ercil V. 
Phipps, Frank H. 



APPENDIX 



291 



Powers, Elmer J. 
Reyman, Charles W. 
Reynolds, Thomas J. 
Rothbeger, George J. 
Rowlands, Emrys 
Rude, Velde R. 
Rudy, Aaron H. 
Sander, Jacob D. • 
Sieling, Edward H. 
Soucey, Wayne E. 
Sterner, Floyd W. 
Stevens, Carl J. 
Stewart, John E. 
Stockman, Edward J. 
Stockton, Bernard C. 
Straub, Albert J. 
Taylor, Russell I. 
Tetman, Walter L. 
Timberlake, Robert L. 
Tisdale, George W. 
Wachter, John J. 
Wagner, William J. 
Walter, John C. 
Ward, Louis A. 
Wilson, William E. 
Privates 

Adams, Clyde 
Adams, Howard H. 
Ahl, Leslie O. 
Alterici, Louis 
Archer, Arthur W. 
Atkins, Clarence G. 
Baines, A. S. 
Baker, Nolan W. 
Barbarian, Miklran 
Barchanowicz, Charles 



Bever, Charles F. 
Blackwell, LeRoy 
Boccuzzi, Joseph J. 
Brackens, Clarence H. 
Brant, Lloyd 
Brickey, Merle O. 
Brightman, James H. 
Burton, Samuel 
Campbell, Carrington 
Caroselli, Don 
Castor, S. B. 
Chichilos, T. 
Coen, Van Henry 
Corteal, Frank 
Crawford, Newton W. 
Dalirymple, Clifford B. 
Diemer, Otto A. 
Dimick, E. A. 
Dloughy, John C. 
Dobish, John J. 
Doughty, George F. 
Dunn, Arthur F. 
Durea, Edward R. 
Eden, Paul 
Ellis, Stanley H. 
Elsey, Robert E. 
Farr, Eddie D. 
Finelli, Dominico 
Fischer, John W. 
Fite, William A. 
Freyberger, Herman M. 
Frost, Elmer J. 
Fuhrman, Paul C. 
Gill, Allen G. 
Gregg, Orlando R. 
Griggsby, Jarret , 



292 



APPENDIX 



Hall, Albert L. 
Hall, Frank C. 
Hancock, Joseph R. 
Harberson, William H. 
Heller, Richard D. 
Henry, Murray G. 
Hoover, Charles 
Howard, Benjamin E. 
Hurdle, H. 
Jacobs, Claude E. 
Jenkinson, Roy A. 
Kaufman, Marshall F. 
Keith, Herbert A. 
Kepler, Edward L. 
Ketzler, Cecil L. 
Kirschner, Erhart 
Kozlowski, Stanley 
Kroog, Aaron 
Lalone, Ralph 
Lanehart, Walter M. 
LeClair, Leo 
Legge, Henry W. 
Levison, Aaron 
Logan, Frank F. 
Luke, Cecil L. 
Lynch, Edward J. 
Lytton, Amos H. 
Maeding, Jack ^ 
Maksimowicz, John 
Malecki, Frank J. 
Manchester, William G. 
Manette, John M. 
Marx, Nicholas, Jr. 
Mayne, R. N.^ 
McAndeliss, Frank A. 



McCartney, L. E. 
McKay, John 
McLaughlin, Edward F. 
McNamara, John D. 
Mohn, Newton C. 
Moschgat, Emil C. 
Moynier, Louis 
Murphy, James A. 
Myrtle, George H. 
Nardiello, Manuel V. 
O'Neil, Roland 
Owen, Arthur G. 
Paine, Clyde O. 
Palen, Howard J. 
Parry, William V. 
Pennington, Yates 
Pruette, Otto P. 
Rainey, Maurice • 
Reed, Wilmer L. 
Reime, Frederick R. 
Romyer, John M. 
Ruikka, Julius A. 
Rusiski, William 
Rust, Marvin C. 
Salerno, Giusippe 
Schultz, Albert C. 
Shiflet, G. A. 
Smith, Dan 
Smith, Merwin H. 
Spasiano, Augustino 
Stith, Albert R. 
Stonehouse, George G. 
Sweet, Edward R. 
Tennant, Walter J. 
Thompson, Albert 
Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



293 



Tieman, Harold 
Tucker, Floyd S. 
Wagnackouski, Anthony A. 
Waldo, Ralph E. 
Walters, Frank J. 
Wegis, Anthony 
Wehausen, Henry 



Welch, Lee H. 
Wells, Archie 
White, Peter E. 
Williams, John 
Williams, Vernon B. 
Wimer, John H. 
Wood, Allen 



COMPANY F 



Master Engineers Senior 
Grade 

Andrews, Jewett F. 

Gerland, William 

Lisby, Clarence 

Merrell, Dwight L. 

Richmond, Loren 
Master Engineers Junior 
Grade 

Hobson, Lester F. 

Moore, Hale E. 
First Sergeant 

Schmidt, Walter A. 
Sergeant First Class 

Kivlighan, John J. 
Sergeants 

Breneman, Ellis W. 

Brown, Howard C. 

Chapman, Charles L. 

Dalton, Jack E. 

Draper, James D. 

Grimes, Frank 

Harding, William 

Hepp, Walter F. 

Hiller, Arthur G. 

Johnson, Joseph M. 

Pruitt, John P. 



Siegrist, Alfonse F. 
Spiers, Charles M. 
Thorson, John N. 
Volkerding, Herman A. 
Walters, William T. 
Corporals 

Belonger, Oliver L 
Bertrand, David G. 
Bonnett, Robert C. 
Byrne, James A. 
Carroll, Lewis W. 
Cole, Newell L. 
Cortilet, Bart A. 
Coyle, Albert 
Dakin, Hursey A. 
Goettsh, Carl E. 
Hamilton, James 
Hanson, Carl M. 
Holmberg, Alfred C. 
Hook, Irving O. 
Jackson, William R. 
Jarvis, Walter T. 
Kelnberger, Fred J. 
Kreminski, Walter E. 
Lampmann, Bryon 
Levins, Edward A. 
McNamara, James R. 



294 



APPENDIX 



Mills, Hobart A. ' 

Mitchell, Joseph F. 

Morton, Paul H. 

Nelson, Guy A. 

Nessner, Frank J. 

Peterson, Ben L. 

Simonson, Sigurd 

Smith, Samuel J. 

Teegarden, Arthur G. 

Willett, George L. 
Wagoners 

Bauer, Frank C. 

Bray, Henry J. 

Klapproth, William 

Mansicka, Carl J. 

Rohm, Wesley W. 
Cooks 

Hood, Howard 

Howell, Frank L. 

LePage, Clarence 

Nicholson, Adolf * 

O'Brien, Mack G. 

Schnider, Edward J. 
Buglers 

Melton, Elmo 

Myers, Walter 

Tseu, Joseph Y. 
Privates First Class 

Anderson, E. H.^ 

Apodaca, Primitivo R. 

Baker, Eugene C. 

Bastar, Richard G. 

Bell, George 

Bennett, John R. 

Breitfuss, John H. 

1 Deceased. 



Burford, Oscar O. 
Campion, Hubert W. 
Compton, Bradford S. 
Dwyer, Peter J. 
Edwards, Roy M. 
Ford, Charles W. 
Foye, Edward R. ? 
Gibson, Herman I. 
Giddings, Glenn M. 
Hackmeier, Julius F. 
Hallier, Berne G. 
Hansen H.^ 
Hover, George A. 
Hover, John H. 
Kaempher, Leonard C. 
Kerr, Charles W. 
Lawrence, Parnell B. 
Lightfoot, George W. 
Logeman, Robert J. 
Mace, James C. 
Madsen, John 
McCabe, Alfred B. 
Murphy, Walter 
Newton, Robert N., Jr» 
Phillips, Harry L. 
Scott, Edward G. 
Smith, Bert H. 
Smith, Elta B. 
Squire, Louis E. 
Tansor, Elmer C. 
Taylor, George 
Unger, Paul E. 
Vincent, Roe J. 
Walker, Harold P. 
Walrath, Leslie H. 



APPENDIX 



295 



Ward, Harold H. 
Watson, Richard F. 
Wilson, Ivan C. 
Wood, Arthur P. 
Woodward, Clifton L. 
Privates 

Abrams, William 
Amendola, Joseph S. 
Anderson, Carl B. 
Anderson, Clarence M. 
Arena, Antonio 
Baker, Charles M. 
Baker, Ralph W. 
Barklam, William J. 
Baum, Jacob 
Beavers, George 
Bentley, Roy 
Berg, David G. 
Berglund, Oscar S. 
Berndt, Frank H. 
Bighouse, Adam E. 
Birdwell, Earnest 
Bjelland, Oscar 
Bloomquist, George 
Bollman, Bolish 
Bollman, Carl G. 
Bourke, Harold C. 
Boyce, Ford L. 
Boyd, George C. 
Boysel, Alva C. 
Branson, Marlin W. 
Brazda, Adolph E. 
Brown, Benjamin 
Brcwnfield, Berry M. 
Bull, Herbert S. 
Burloff, Peno 



Butler, Ray E. 
Butler, William F. 
Cameron, Jenks 
Carlson, Martin G, 
Cobb, Oscar 
Cossick, Frank 
Covert, Edward E. 
Criswell, Thomas G. 
Cunningham, Raymond 
Davis, John L. 
Deetz, Martin W. 
Drechsel, George 
Droszkowski, Frank J. 
Duncan, Jessie 
Dybala, Thomas J. 
Engelking, Conrad H. 
Engstrom, Iver 
Eves, Lester 
Fauerby, Henrick 
Ferrand, Carroll E. 
Fitzgerald, John L. 
Flato, Frederick W. 
Fudge, Bennie A. 
Gaich, Paul A. 
Gamble, Robert H. 
Giffins, Walter 
Gray, William 
Guldberg, Reuben V. 
Hagen, Otto 
Hammel, Robert W. 
Hicks, Monroe W. 
Hodges, Otis V. 
Holder, Glenn U. 
Hooper, Ruel O. 
Hukill, James A. 
Hussey, Albert E. 



296 



APPENDIX 



Ignatus, Frank 
Irr, Harold J. 
Jacoby, Benjamin F. 
Jacquith, Clarence E. 
Jensen, Jens C. 
Jessie, John C. 
Kane, George S. 
Karr, John 
Kelley, Edward 
Kennedy, Dan 
Knighton, Wilbur J. 
Kohls, Emil 
Kravec, John 
Krebiehl, George 
Leger, Amos E. 
Lilquist, Alfred C. 
Logue, John R. 
Lutz, William W. 
Malice, Abraham 
Malm, Martin 
Marks, Louis P. 
Mauck, Henry 
Mayer, John G. 
McArthur, Harvey W. 
McCoy, Goebel 
Mely, A. C.^ 
Miley, George W. 
Miller, Frank 
Mills, Jessie D. 
Moberg, Carl G. 
Moorehead, Robert J. 
Moran, Martin 
Morgan, Walter 
Mueller, Joseph G. 
Nelson, Albert T. 



Nelson, C. F. M. 
Olson, Lewis 
Overby, Emil A. 
Paiz, Pedro 
Parks, James E. 
Peacock, William F. 
Pesek, Anton 
Peterson, Fred J. 
Phillippi, Henry J. 
Ragan, Harry 
Sandusky, Barney 
Sherar, Charles H. 
Sherman, John A. 
Skelton, Marion C. 
Smith, Elrod M. 
Smith, James 
Specht, Riley V. 
Swanson, Edward J. 
Swanstrom, Arthur R. 
Swesey, Edward L. 
Swinenski, Balesta 
Taylor, Willie E. 
Thompson, Charlie D. 
Thompson, Henry G. 
Thompson, Rex A. 
Trenton, French 
Tribble, John H. 
Tyson, Harry 
Vedova, Anthony D. 
Walgren, Paul L. 
Wandrei, Edward 
Watson, Clifford H. 
Wentworth, William 
Wernsing, Benjamin 
Western, G. H.i 
* Deceased. 



APPENDIX 



297 



Wilbur, William 0. 
Wilson, James F. 
Wilson, Mizra J. 

MEDICAL 
Sergeant First Class 

Stadelman, Oscar L. 
Sergeants 

Coles, John H. 

Dollaway, Floyd A. 

Rowlands, Hugh C. 

Van Horn, Burt E. 
Corporals 

Hutchinson, William C. 

Slusser, Benjamin H. 
Wagoner 

Jones, Evan 
Privates First Class 

Ballard, Carl B. 

Barker, Claude A. 

Bradley, James L. 

Brown, Lee C. 

Buckingham, Walter R. 

Caldwell, Fred W. 

Clark, Elmer L. 

Fischer, William F. 

Green, Elmer R. 

HIggs, Herman C. 

Jennings, Joe L. 



Wold, Jens - 
Wood, William B. 



DETACHMENT 

Jones, Bryan E. 
Kappel, John 
Lajeunesse, Ernest N. 
McCloud, William 
Mero, Joseph K. 
Stephenson, Jesse F. 
Storey, Raymond F. 
Timmerman, Henry C. 
Verner, Clarence S. 
Privates 

Baker, John D. 
Benson, Andrew A. 
Craig, William 
DeSantis, Tony 
Driscoll, William J. 
Geagon, John J.^ 
Greene, Howard B. 
Hogan, John L. 
Jordon, Thomas 
Orr, Howard W. 
Palen, Howard J. 
Prime, Charles L. C. 
Reese, Emmett G. 



THE BAND 

(These names occur also in the units to which the men were 

regularly assigned.) 

Sgt. Brant, W. B., Bandmaster 

Sgt. McPherson, D. L., Drum Major 

> Deceased. 



298 APPENDIX 

Sgt. Herbst, G. E., Asst. Bandmaster 

Pvt. I cl. Metcalfe, C. B., Clarinet Soloist 

Pvt. Kirkwood J., Piccolo 

Pvt. Straub, J. G., Clarinet 

Pvt. Adams, C. E., Clarinet 

Corp. Nay, 0. E., Clarinet 

Pvt. Bjornstadt, B. M., Soprano Saxophone 

Pvt. Spitzer, E. A., Alto Saxophone 

Pvt. Frear, C. L., Alto Saxophone 

Pvt. Westerberg, C. G., Tenor Saxophone 

Pvt. Civelett, J. A., Cornet 

Pvt. Robinson, A. C, Cornet 

Pvt. White, C, Cornet 

Pvt. Thomas, H,, Cornet 

Sgt. MacDonald, H., Cornet 

Pvt. Cohen, M., Alto 

Pvt. Stebbins, R. L., Alto 

Pvt. I cl. Dow, D. B., Alto 

Pvt. I cl. Quayle, G. P., Alto 

Pvt. Dunn, H. S., Trombone 

Pvt. Wilson, E. H., Trombone 

Corp. Shanks, R. G., Trombone 

Pvt. Johnson, Glenn E., Trombone 

Pvt. Thelen, G. A., Baritone 

Pvt. DeFreece, P. R., Bass 

Pvt. Williams, R. G., Bass 

Pvt. I cl. Lajeunesse, E. N., Snare Drum 

Pvt. Wellington, J. C, Snare Drum 

Pvt. Hodder, William, Cymbal 

Pvt. Caulton, R., Bass Drum 

4. Commissioned Personnel of Third and Fourth Bat- 
talions ^ on October 24, 1918. 

^ See Chapter X. 



APPENDIX 



299 



THIRD BATTALION 
Major C. P. Wood Commanding Officer 

Captain W. V. Warren Adjutant 

2nd Lieut. R. M. Willis Supply Officer 

1st Lieut. R. B. Wilkins Medical Officer 

1st Lieut. D. M. Fellows Dental Surgeon 

COMPANY G 
Captain A. C. Day Commanding 

1st Lieut. F. J. Swanson 
2nd Lieut. J. L. Godley 
2nd Lieut. M. S. Cain 
2nd Lieut. J. V. Duncan 
2nd Lieut. C. A. Stader 
2nd Lieut. W. C. Marshall 
2nd Lieut. E. S. Truesdell, Jr. 
2nd Lieut. W. Vandergrift Attached 



COMPANY H 

Captain George Noble 
2nd Lieut. R. R. Rohrbach 
2nd Lieut. R. E. Myer 
2nd Lieut. T. A. Silvera 
2nd Lieut. W. Bishop 
2nd Lieut. R. A. Price 
2nd Lieut. A. C. Mallett 
2nd Lieut. S. G. Denny 
2nd Lieut. E. Hunter 



Commanding 



2nd Lieut. C. Smith 

2nd Lieut. H. W. Hallman 


Attached 
Attached 


COMPANY 
Captain L. C. Donovan 
1st Lieut. F. Adair 
2nd Lieut. F. L. Shelley 


I 
Commanding 



300 APPENDIX 

2nd Lieut. H. E. Tardy ^ 
2nd Lieut. H. N. McCooI 
2nd Lieut. G. R. Acree 
2nd Lieut. J. A. Barton 
2nd Lieut. J. H. Knight 
2nd Lieut. W. C. Lane 

FOURTH BATTALION 
Captain H. Malinka Commanding Officer 

Captain F. W. Dasher, Adjutant 

1st Lieut. D. M. Clark Supply Officer 

1st Lieut. J. Notley Medical Officer 

1st Lieut. W. C. Wickstrom Dental Surgeon 

COMPANY K 
Captain B. M. Grant Commanding 

1st Lieut. H. S. O'Brien 
2nd Lieut. C. L. Patterson 
2nd Lieut. F. K. Carter 
2nd Lieut. J. F. Black 
2nd Lieut. G. A. Stanton 
2nd Lieut. B. H. Questel 
2nd Lieut. H, Burns 
2nd Lieut. J. H. Meek 

COMPANY L 
Captain H. W. Favre Commanding 

1st Lieut. Gannon 
2nd Lieut. F. Carrico 
2nd Lieut. H. Stribler 
2nd Lieut. W. E. Toles 
2nd Lieut. R. G. Strehlow, 
2nd Lieut. F. E. McWilliams 
2nd Lieut. P. A. Bloise 




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APPENDIX 



301 



COMPANY M 
Captain E. M. Blanchard Commanding 

1st Lieut. R. Berry 
2nd Lieut. G. G. Potter 
2nd Lieut. V. P. Baker 
2nd Lieut. H. E. Van Wle 
2nd Lieut. N. N. BoUman 
2nd Lieut. H. Spencer 
2nd Lieut. H. S. Callaway 
2nd Lieut. T. A. Sewell 
and Lieut. G. C. Wells Attached 



List of Officers of Third and Fourth Battalions, 
with their ranks. 



Acree, Clarence 
Adair, Francis 
Baker, Vernon P. ) 
Barton, John A. 
Berry, Romeyn 
Bishop, William 
Black, John Franklin 
Blanchard, Edward B. 
Bloise, Peter A. 
Bollman, Noah N, 
Burns, Harold 
Cain, Martin J. 
Callaway, Herbert S. 
Carrico, Frank G. 
Carter, Fred K. 
Clark, David McKenzie 
Dasher, Francis W. 
Day, Alfred C. 
Denny, Samuel G. 
Donovan, Lawrence 



Second Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Captain 

Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Captain 
Captain 

Second Lieutenant 
Captain 



302 



APPENDIX 



Duncan, Joseph B. 
Favre, Harry W. 
Fellows, David M. 
Gannon 

Godley, John L. 
Grant, Bryan M. 
Hallman, Herbert W. 
Hunter, Edwin H. 
Kidder, Samuel T. 
Knight, John J. 
Lane, Wallace C. 
McCool, Herman M. 
McMillan, Archibald L. 
McWilliams, David E. 
Malinka, Henry 
Mallett, Alfred C. 
Marshall, Walter C. 
Meek, James H. 
Myer, Richard E. 
Noble, George 
Notley, J. 

O'Brien, Humphrey S. 
Patterson, Clarence L, 
Potter, Charles G. 
Price, Russell A. 
Questel, Benjamin H. 
Rohrbach, Richard R. 
Sewell, Thomas A. 
Shelley, Franklin L. 
Silvera, Theodore A. 
Smith, Clyde 
Spencer, Harvey 
Stanton, Charles A. 
Strehlow, Robert C. 
Stribler, Harry 
Studer, Carlton A. 



Second Lieutenant 
Captain 

First Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Captain 

Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Captain 

Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
^ Captain 
I First Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 



APPENDIX 



303 



Swanson, Frederick J. 
Tardy, Harold E. 
Tolas, William E. 
Truesdell, Edwin S. 
Van VVie, Henry E. 
Vandergrift, William 
Warren, William Van V. 
Wells, Grover C. 
Wickstrom, Walter C. 
Wilkins, Robert D. 
Willis, Richard M. 
Wood, Charles P. 



First Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Captain 

Second Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Second Lieutenant 
Major 



6. List of men in Third and Fourth Battalions 

THIRD BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
DETACHMENT 



Battalion Sergeant Major 

Schraer, John C. 
Battalion Supply Sergeant 

Sena, Charles J. 
Sergeants 

Dalzell, Phil 

Freytag, Charles F. 
Corporals 

Cilligan, Edward 

Stucki, Leo A. 
Wagoners 

Bell, Wilbur • 

Marvin, Harry N. 
Cooks 

Hess, Frank 

Lemmon, Fred V. 
Mechanics 

Curren, Joseph J. 

Oras, James 



Stiger, Lester M. 

Swain, Warren R. 
Privates First Class 

Herold, William W. 

O'Boyle, Patrick 

Phillips, William C. 

Sauer, Charles A. 

Schad, Henry L. 

Semonin, Lester P. 

Somers, Frank R. 
Privates 

Brauneck, Wayne 

Eisele, Hearvy E. 

Eliason, Magnus E. 

First, Charles T. 

Fisher, Leo L. 

Freeland, Mar>'land 

Herr, Exiward 

Hosket, Gustave H. 



304 



APPENDIX 



Hussey, Edward 
Kennedy, Edgar C 
Melton, John W. 
Miller, Clark R. 
Otting, William 
Peterson, Claude R. 



Rickard, Don A. 
Roglin, George 
Ruck, Samuel 
Schenck, Charles G. 
Spiker, Jacob M. ^ 
Stanton, Martin J. 



COMPANY G 



First Sergeant 

Now, James C. 
Sergeants First Class 

Burchfield, Fred 

Dozer, Carl R. 

MarzlufF, Edgar 
Mess Sergeant 

Pritchard, Roy C. 
Supply Sergeant 

Canter, Louis H. 
Transportation Sergeant 

Scott, Homer J. 
Sergeants 

Britton, James H. 

Deneke, Roy 

Gould, Elmer 

Pullen, John H. 

Rosichan, William A. 

Short, William B. 

Spencer, Frank G. 
Corporals 

Andecover, Miland A. 

Barger, Curtis E. 

Bradley, Earl 

Burrows, Clifford A. 

Callahan, Arthur 

Decolibus, Arturo 

Ellis, John 



Evans, Robert E. 

Fetters, John W. 

Hoagland, Vernon C. 

Kazaroff, Mike 

Kowalko, Felix 

Lawrence, Don R. 

McLaughlin, Dan G. 

Martin, J. J. 

O'Brien, George E. 

Ostrowski, Tom 

Price, Gerdt C. 

Radulavich, Miroje 

Sands, Howard E. 

Schmogrow, Fred T. 

Shoults, Joseph F. 

Stechschulte, Cyril C. 

Stinson, Irl A. 

Wagner, John A. 

Wood, Don L. 

Zehnder, Frederick C. 
Cooks 

Mcllvain, Ralph C. 

Stankiewicz, Felix 
Bugler 

Powell, Clarence E. 
Privates First Class 

Bacher, Paul R. 

Berg, Alfred 





I 



APPENDIX 



305 



Biggs, Adam 
Canter, Otto 
Carlyon, Ed. L. 
Carter, Roy W. 
Casler, Ed. T. 
Clabaugh, William A. 
Cotterman, Lester C. 
Ervin, Dexter B. 
Evans, Paul J. 
Fowkes, Homer S. 
Haselbach, Harley H. 
Hinton, Clyde P. 
Hoobler, Lloyd C. 
Hush, Walter W. 
Marcum, Warden 
Morris, Kennard R. 
Powell, Listen E. 
Savage, William H. 
Sharp, Harold W. 
Slagel, Everett F. 
Summers, Madison H. 
Tarnow, Alfred O. 
Vawter, George 
Wilson, Jesse W. 
Zaebst, Elmer O. 
Privates 

Ackerman, Frank J. 
Angelo, Ralph P. 
Arnold, Robert 
Ashton, Stanley G. 
Baker, Charles W. 
Beadnell, Alvine 
Becher, Edward 
Beckley, Lee 
Benson, Howard T. 
Bigham, Edward G. 



Boley, William J. 
Bonnell, Ralph H. 
Booth, Paul N. 
Brewer, Floyd E. 
Bruderly, Earnest A. 
Carpenter, Doyle 
Carpenter, William 
Carr, Harrison B. 
Carter, James B. 
Chaney, Henry N. 
Chaney, William S. 
Chercony, Joseph A. 
Clevenger, George 
Combs, Clarence F. 
Combs, Kindrick 
Collins, Clarence M. 
Cooperrider, Albert L. 
Corl, Frank M. 
Cox, George 
Coy, Emery C. 
Craig, John L. 
Currella, Toney 
Dennis, John H. 
Dresback, Thomas 
Drummond, John A. 
Dwinnell, Theodore , 
Earl, Henry F. 
Ellis, John L. 
Ellis, Leslie 
Engard, Frank J. 
Fain, Jasper 
Fetter, Milton B. 
Fitzpatrick, Orley M. 
Foos, Edwin G. 
Frederick, Pierce D. 
Friedenauer, Emil A. 



3o6 



APPENDIX 



Garloch, Aries H. 
Garver, George W. 
Geese, Hugh W. 
Gildow, Joseph 
Gohl, Walter C. 
Gorman, Frank D. 
Guisinger, Denver C. 
Haas, Bryan W. 
Hanefield, Louis W. 
Hatt, William P. 
Hauger, William F. 
Hayman, Wilfred G. 
Hendershott, William J. 
Hendrickson, Clyde 
Hobensack, John E. 
Hoffman, Hugo F. 
Holz, Arthur W. 
Horger, Clarence 
Hughes, Reno C. 
Isenbletter, Russell E. 
Johnson, George W. 
Johnson, Walter L. 
Jones, Vermont G. 
Jones, Walter W. 
Jordan, Dorcy C. 
Keller, Clarence M. 
Kirby, Albert 
Koval, Taras 
Kwis, Joseph, Jr. 
Langenderfer, Leo R. 
Lavender, Marion F. 
Linda muth. Earnest R. 
Line, Everett, F. 
Link, Elmer F. 
Little, Charles H. 
Lutz, Garrett H. 



McBane, Norman E. 
McGhee, James 
McMannis, Roscoe E. 
Malofsky, Philip 
Manley, Earl 
Mannon, Lonnie 
Marion, Roy G. 
Marquart, Edward 
Marty, Atlee F. 
Mathers, Glenn W. 
Matin, Ralph 
Meacham, Lawrence L. 
Meyer, Albert J. 
Meyers, Ferdinand J. 
Miller, William M. 
Montgomery, Lawrence 
Montgomery, Thomas 
Moore, Harold E. 
Moore, Paul S. 
Morgan, Earl R. 
Newcomer, Harvey 
Osborne, Frederick 
Patterson, Ralph W. 
Paul, Jacob E. 
Payne, Elza O. 
Peirano, Albert J. 
Pierce, Clark A. 
Plachetka, Frank 
Potts, James F. 
Prince, Lawrence 
Princehorn, Raymond S. 
Propson, Joe R. 
Quest, Earl J. 
Rain, Lester H. 
Rausch, Albert L 
Richardson, George 



APPENDIX 



307 



Rickelmann, Anton 
Riddle, George D. 
Rogers, Herman J. 
Ross, James F. 
Roth, George F. 
Rowland, Arlie E. 
Rudnick, Benny 
Rust, William C. 
Sabo, John 
Salemi, Louis 
SarfiF, William J. 
Schnippel, Albert J. 
Schuld, Elmer B. 
Schumaker, Edwin E. 
Schweitzer, Willis R. 
Secrest, Melvin B. 
Shanahan, Ralph H. 
Sheppard, Earl V. 
Sherbaum, Emil 
Shoemaker, Joseph W. 
Shumaker, Clarence P. 
Siudzinski, John 
Smith, Otto J. 
Smith, Ralph D. 
Smoot, John W. 
Snouffer, Joseph F. 
Sprouse, John D. 
Sprowl, George L. 
Steinbrunner, Robert J. 
Stergios, Christ 
Stewart, Edgar R. 



Struble, Orland M. 
Sutter, Robert 
Swisher, Jesse J. 
Thompson, Ward 
Timmons, Worley C. 
Uhl, William E. 
Untied, Leonard E. 
Vessels, Hayes H. 
Wagner, Lewis B. 
Walcott, Harry N. 
Walters, Martin L. 
Weadock, Paul V. 
Wearstler, Herdman 
W'elch, Harry S. 
Wells, Leonard O. 
Wheeler, Robert B. 
White, Clyde O. 
White, Frank B. 
Wiandt, John E. 
Wiles, Samuel 
Wilkerson, Lysle D. 
Williams, Charles C. 
Williams, David 
Winkel, Frederick 
Wolaver, Lawrence R. 
Wortman, Clarence L. 
Wright, Caret H. 
Wymer, Cloyd 
Young, William L. 
Zachariah, Theodore 



First Sergeant 

Piers, William F. 
Sergeants First Class 

Davis, Newell 



COMPANY H 

Grinkmeyer, John 
Jacobs, Gary E. 
Massie, Harry E. 
Walter, Frank M. 



3o8 

Mess Sergeant 

Emig, George C. 
Supply Sergeant 

Pence, Alfred L. 
Sergeants 

Anderson, Ed. E. 

Lewis, William C. 

Moran, William A. 

Morgan, Leonard D. 

Murray, Charles J. 

Rowland, Harold W. 

Sadler, Edward C. 

Seevers, Raymond E. 

Valentiner, William R. 

Young, George E. 
Corporals 

Bergin, Daniel J. 

Camingcovich, Hector E. 

Clark, Robert W. 

Deal, Robert F. 

Drehobl, John F., Jr. 

Eisman, Anthony H. 

Farley, John P. 

Fox, Arthur F. 

Garner, Floyd E. 

Gillis, Charles F. 

Grueser, George 

Hamburg, Charles W. 

Harvey, Donald 

Hemingway, George E. 

Hidey, George E. 

Hoffman, Philip A. 

Howard, John E. 

Huentelman, Louis H. 

Hughes, Clarence 

Juvenile, Ralph 



APPENDIX 



Kuhlman, Sterkel C. 

Martin, George S. 

McFee, Alexander A. 

McGrady, Andrew W. 

Rohlfer, George H. 

Runion, Charles C. 

Scurry, Frank P. 

Snyder, Walter W. 

Weisberger, Frederick H. 

Wolfe, Edmond O. 
Wagoners 

Burkett, Ray D. 

Dillinger, Charles F. 

Mellott, Ray J. 

Reidy, Bryan J. 

Zimmerman, Joseph 
Cooks 

Jinks, Outhwaite W. 

Forristal, Leonard 

Rust, Emerson M. 

Tedrow, John 

Tolksdorf, Edwin G. 
Buglers 

Hinkle, Thomas 

Zamiska, John W. 
Privates First Class 

Adams, Louis 

Amrein, John 

Bird, John J. P. 

Bratton, Charles F. 

Briggs, John B. 

Brown, George F. 

Chaney, Forest L 

Currettie, James J. 

D'Agostino, Donate 

Dye, Charles F. - 





1 



^ff 




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APPENDIX 



309 



Emge, Raymond B. 
Fisher, Oliver F. 
Frazier, Ora W. 
Funkhouser, Alpha L. 
Gorman, Roy B. 
Grabowski, Othmar A. 
Gregory, Otho 
Hartman, Lee V. 
Hendershott, Roy A. 
Howdyshell, Levi 
Ingraham, Verne H. 
Jelinek, Vincent G. 
Jenkins, Clyde S. 
Karman, Andrew A. 
Karrick, Charles F. 
Kinkoph, Joseph A. 
Knowles, Sheridan C. 
Kontowicz, Albert J. 
Locke, Fred E. 
Manly, Frank D. 
Mathews, Lewie D. 
McKenzie, Charles J. 
Metro, Steven M. 
Mittnacht, John 
Moore, Claridon M. 
Myler, William G. 
Parks, Harry M. 
Parrish, Charles E. 
Payne, Troy 
Pyles, Raymond 
Reedy, Martin L. 
Schindler, Maurice 
Schroeder, Albert W. 
Schultz, Edward W. 
Schwope, Frank G. 
Seaders, Frank H. 



Sibcy, Wallace D. ' 
Simmons, Fred 
Smith, Charley 
Smith, Curtis C. 
Soldwish, Emil C. 
Stavermann, Joseph T. 
Strand, Joseph P. 
Trapp, Emil A. 
Ulry, Cecil 
Vornhagen, Otto A. 
Walsh, Raymond J. 
Wright, Thomas G. 
Yohman, Joseph A. 
Zeiger, Herman 
Zink, Fred J. 
Privates 
Adams, William T. 
Adolff, Ray V. 
Albright, William G. 
Ammon, Earl F. 
Anderson, Frank R. 
Andrix, Charles A. 
Anthony, Hugo J. 
Appis, Samuel F. 
Arnold, Jacob G. 
Babino, James L. 
Baker, Melvin E. 
Ballentine, Overton J. 
Beach, Charles C. M. 
Berning, Clarence A. 
Black, James A. 
Blanchard, Lester J. 
Bloomfield, John M. 
Bowsher, Kenneth O. 
Brown, Fred 
Burton, Joseph 



310 



APPENDIX 



Bush, Jacob 

Cappell, Jasper M. 
Carter, Cecil W. 
Chandler, Robert 
Clark, Amos A. 
Coe, Bryan 
Cole, William W. 
Colegrove, Clifford E. 
Conoway, William B. 
Cupps, Irvin C. 
Dailey, George T. 
Davis, William J. 
Deer, Louis N. 
DeLong, Nathaniel 
Denbow, Earl J. 
Diamond, Max 
Dieble, Clarence C. 
Dillon, William J. 
Dotson, William H. 
Dunn, Marion 
Ellis, Oran W. 
Everhart, Robert E. 
Parson, George H. 
Fetter man, Jesse F. 
Fisher, Lawrence W. 
Flickinger, William H. 
Foden, Edwin 
Frazier, William T. 
Friedlander, Joseph H. 
Frye, James S. 
Gard, Earl B. 
George, Charles 
Goff, Verner E. 
Gossett, Hubert M. 
Gould, Harry E. ; 
Graham, John J. 



Grant, Fred R. 
Grifhths. George D. 
Groff, Charles E. 
Gugelman, Forest A. 
Hardesty, James A. 
Harris, Thomas 
Hartshorn, Harold O. 
Hasman, James 
Hayes, Frank 
Heiks, Dayton F. 
Hill, James W. 
Houska, Charles 
Jackson, Allen C. 
Jaworski, Mike F. 
Jester, Claude M. 
Johnson, Oscar S. 
Judge, Albert R. 
Khune, Leonard E. 
Kimberlin, George T. 
Kissling, Earl W. 
Kmetz, Andrew 
Korsnas, John 
Kreakbaum, Otto C. 
Krobusek, John J. 
Kuntz, Henry J. 
Lewis, Harley E. 
Liggett, Thomas A. 
Liller, Herman F. 
Linscott, Arza A. 
Lute, Charles E. 
Markowitz, Harry 
Markum, Emmit 
McDonald, Roger D. 
McGinnes, Theodore F. 
Meinking, Edward F. 
Messer, Benjamin H. 



APPENDIX 



311 



Metchell, Paul 
Miles. Thomas H. 
Miller, Otis 
Mohler, Arthur E. 
North, Cecil E. 
Ohl, Clair T. 
Peter, Carl F. 
Roe, Ross S. 
Rose, Peter 
Ross, Everett A. 
Russell, Harold R. 
Scheller, Arthur N. 
Siegenthaler, John 
Shafer, James F., Jr. 
Shafranek, William 
Smith, Griffin 
Smith, William B. 
Snyder, Adam J. 
Stachniak, Ignatio 



Staten, Walter E. 
Stemen, Leroy S. 
Stevens, Herman M. 
Strayer, John W. 
Stripon, Ralph 
Tool is, John 
Torgler, Arthur 
Vetter, Vitus J. 
Walser, Stanley D. 
Walsh, Walter J. 
Warstler, Reese C. 
Weikert, Loran Lee 
Welsh, Michael C. 
Wiener, Sanford T. 
Willford, Richard J. 
Williams, Walter C. 
Wooddell. Byron H. 
Zelinski, Leonard A. 



First Sergeant 

Sodders, Roy E. 
Sergeants First Class 

Clendenin, Paul E. 

Frasch, Karl W. 

O'Neill, Robert C. 

Spielman, Carl W. 

Tieman, Edwin J. 
Mess Sergeant 

Gray, Harley R. 
Supply Sergeant 

Collins, Howard F. 
Sergeants 

Berry, Abraham 

Dixon, Virgil L. 



COMPANY I 

Drazdik, George P. 
Glaser, David 
Harris, Howard A. 
Hoffman, Harry T. 
Johnson, Howard 
MaxAvell, Jesse H. 
McClurkin, Everett J. 
Palmer, William H. S. 
Tomko, Michael 
Corporals 
Ball, William C. 
Brandel, Victor F. 
Coon, Glen 
Dalton, Clarence 
Davidson, Jerome Wm., Ji 



312 



APPENDIX 



A Donahoe, John S. 

parhart, Claude 

Ellinger, Solomon 

Farmer, Howard M. 

Felber, Walter J. 

Haupt, Karl W. 

Hobson, Robert A. 

Hodgson, James 

Jacobsen, Carl H. 

Kettlewood, Harry B. 

Leiner, Howard A. | 

LeMaster, Ernest H. 

McClintick, Fred 

Maurer, John B. 

Miller, James, Jr. 

Moeller, Arthur H. 

Neel, George S. 

Niemeier, Harry A. 

Pound, Guy S. 

Richards, James W. 

Ries, Edward 

Ripley, Obed S. 

Robbins, Erwin C. 

Russell, Foster C. 

Smith, Donald 

Wilson, William C. 
Privates 
> Arnold, Frank E. 

Artis, Dovel 

Barberio, Lulgi 

Barrett, Ernest B. 

Bartlett, Charles J. 

Bauer, Charles R. 

Baum, Forest H. 

Bauman, James M. 

Beall, Russell T. 



Belg, Elmer F. 
Billman, Leonard E. 
Binder, Julius 
Bircher, Emiel J. 
Black, Raymond ' 
Blanton, Alfred J. 
Bloom, Claude 
Bolin, James F. 
Bottwood, Leonard W. 
Brammer, Hubert A. 
Brannon, John M. 
Briggs, Robert R. 
Brooks, John H. 
Brooks, Thomas W. 
Brown, Harry 
Brown, Samuel J. 
Burger, Charles A. . 
Butz, Charles R., Jr. 
Cable, Edward 
Campbell, George, Jr. 
Carle, Wesley S. 
Carlisle, Thomas 
Carpet, Hay B. 
Chabondy, Frank R. 
Converse, Leo E. 
Coon, Harmon 
Cooper, Harry 
Covelle, Joe 
Coyer, Clyde 
Coyle, William D. 
Craig, William R. 
Cummins, Harry W. 
Davis, Howard O. 
Dielman, Anthony G. 
Disser, Samuel M., Jr. 
Drake, Azil E. 





CO 





IV r 



APPENDIX 



3^3 



Duemer, Carl E. 
Ely, Roy 

Emerick, Clyde H. 
Enstes, Clifford 
Ex)nda, Frank 
Etter, Herschel L. 
Fannin, John 
Feistel, Frank J. 
Fisher, George W. 
Ford, John P. 
Forney, John R. 
Fothergill, Robert R. 
Franey, Edward J. 
Glass, Lloyd W. 
Gfeller, John, Jr. 
Goebel, Joseph J. 
Goldberg, Abraham 
Gorotka, John 
Granstaff, Leroy A. 
Grosfato, Vincenzo 
Gruhlke, Leo J. 
Hagan, James C. 
Haldin, Fred J. 
Hall, Milton 
Hall, Ulysses G. 
Hammans, Clarence T. 
Hansen, Harold A. 
Harbaugh, Donald 
Harnish, John M. 
Harper, Austin 
Harvey, Lloyd 
Heddleson, Allen R. 
Heddleston, Brady 
Heinbuch, Howard C. 
Heindle, George W. 
Heisserer, Raymond C. 



Hensley, Buford 
Heritage, Arlie C. 
Hester, Amos L. 
Hochenberger, Harry 
Houser, Stanley J. 
Huyser, Matthew 
Jacobs, Russell 
Johnson, Charley W. 
Johnson, Emery 
Johnson, William H. 
Joyce, Thomas P. 
Kaczmarek, Louis J, 
Kalstein, John O. 
Kaylor, Chester A. 
Kelly, Thomas J. 
Kenney, James M. 
Kenyon, Lester L 
Kight, Elden J. 
Kish, Steve 
Kline, Clarence N. 
Knecht, Leroy J. 
Knowles, Ray A. 
Kocz, Wladyslaw 
Krolski, Theodore 
Kubiszewski, Teafil 
Kuntz, Leo Vincint 
Kuth, Clarence F. 
Lantz, Stephen 
Lee, Cyril M. 
Lisk, Jesse 
Love, Dean 
Love, Van B. 
Mack, Carl J. 
Magers, Don A. 
Marks, Smith 
Mason, Alfred J. 



314 



APPENDIX 



Mays, James E. 
McCord, Howard 
McDaniel, William H. 
McFadden, Charles E. 
McKee, John W, 
McKinney, Charles H. 
Messerschmidt, Edwin H. 
Millard, Ralph 
Miller, Alva J. 
Moniodis, Nicholas 
Moore, John S. 
Nardini, Anthony 
Neff, Gilbert E. 
Noblet, John R. 
Parsons, Doyle 
Perzel, Paul J. 
Petrello, Rocci J. 
Phillips, Frank 
Pletka, Joseph 
Polifrone, James 
Purdin, Albert L. 
Ray, Archie R. 
Reamer, Florian H. 
Reardon, John B. 
Reasor, Jacob A. * 
Reed, Addison 
Renicker, Lewis A. 
Renner, Raymond G. 
Repa, Nick 
Rice, Clarence W. 
Romano, Charley 
Romans, Glenard N. 
Rosenthal, Aaron R. 
Roqueplot, Marshall 
Salsberry, Delbert 
Sander, Carl H. 



Schalk, Michael J. 
Schmeiser, John J. 
Schmidt, George 
Seckinger, Hoy J. 
Selentino, James 
Sertell, Charles B. 
Shaw, David L. 
Shepherd, Melvin A. 
Shifferly, Firm 
Shoemaker, William D. 
Shook, Jerd V., Jr. 
Shugert, Ralph 
Simon, George 
Simons, Emmett 
Sipes, Ray C. 
Smith, Adam W. 
Snider, Lige 
Snyder, Joseph E. 
Sonnhalter, John D. 
Stall, George E. 
Starner, Ralph A. 
Stegeman, Frank J. 
Stewart, Martin F. 
Strobel, Frank A. 
Sullivan, Ben 
Swacus, John 
Tatarin, Mike 
Teets, William E. 
Thies, Albert H. 
Tilford, La Verne 
Trainor, Arthur J. 
Travis, Harry A. 
Tritschler, Joseph J. 
Twarogowski, Bernard 
Valentine, Herbert C. 
Varwig, Henry F. 



APPENDIX 



Vinunsky, Samuel 
Walsh, Vincent J. 
Waskavitz, William F. 
Watson, Leslie L. 
Whitfield, William H. 
Whittington, Marvin 



Wile, Laird J. 
Williams, Sam 
Willis, Roy E. 
Wolf, Charles J. 
Worrell, Frank 



3^5 



FOURTH BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 
DETACHMENT 



Battalion Sergeant-Major 

Orr, Thomas 
Battalion Supply Sergeant 

Macke, Joseph A. 
Sergeants 

Olson, Harry 

Rosenblum, Philip 
Corporals 

Madison, Abe P. 

Vaigl, Fred E. 
Wagoners 

Leone, Joseph A. 

Mulford, Elmer C. 
Cooks 

Brothers, Harry L. 

Metzger, Ivan C. 
Mechanics 

Baumeister, Harold E. 

Klugman, Carl H. 

McElligott, J. K. 

Ormes, W. V. 
Privates First Class 

Dugan, Hugh 

Eberle, Carl M. 

Frerick, Neil 

Gedeon, Henry F. 



McCormac, Edward O. 

Unger, Herbert E. 

Weigand, Edward 
Privates 
- Aebi, John 

Anderson, Louis C. 

Butkoski, George 

Dixon, Henry B. 

Donaldson, Edward S. 

Ewald, John F. 

Fitzgerald, Frank E. 

Fleming, Frank E. 

Garfinkle, Louis 

Garman, Francis H. 

Gutzwiller, Joseph 

Hesoun, Joseph J. 

Knaack, George 

Lockwood, Earl 

Purney, Nelson 

Simpson. Carl W. 

Smith, Reuben C. 

Straw, William C. 

Stultz, Frank M. 

Swigon, Walter F. 

Wartluft, Samuel, Jr. 



3i6 



APPENDIX 

COMPANY K 



First Sergeant 

Bryant, Leslie R. 
Supply Sergeant 

Breidenbaugh, Edwin E. 
Sergeants 

Asher, Homer C. 

Brown, Ralph 

Gordon, James S. 

Hall, John A. 

Hatfield, Jorse D. 

Hayward, John E. 

Kidd, John E. 

King, Thomas N. 

Kitchen, William B. 

Kuehner, Harry A. 

Musser, Wesley D. 

Northcraft, Elmer V. 

Rettig, Archie R. 

Rosenblatt, Louis 

Sine, Ole L. 

Staley, Lawrence E. 
Corporals 

Becker, William M. 

Bolton, Robert J. 

Bredestege, Carl J. 

Britton, Sylvian 

Davidson, Everett 

Denning, Lester E. 

Eley, Franklin V. 

Evers, Henry 

Friesner, James R. 

Garst, Shelby 

Helber, Kurt R. 

Hoover, Pearl C. 

Howell, Homer C. 



Jacolfeori, Arthur W. 

Kauf, Walter E. 

Kiger, Charles H. 

Koons, David F. 

Leiner,' Robert D. 

McBride, Arthur A. 

McDavitt, Elson B. 

Michael, Lucian F. 

Monroe, Clyde B. "^ 

Palmeter, Clarence E. 

Perrine, George D. 

Roley, Wayne H. 

SchiU, William J. , 

Schofield, Frank R. 

Smith, Charles W. ^ 

Soter, George 

Walker, Richard i 

Weaver, Basil V. ' 
Cooks 

Barker, Jared E. 

Corey, John W. 

Orr, Glendon E. 

Phipps, Clarence 
Privates 

Abels, William E. 

Agal, Thornton D. 

Allen, John A. 

Andrews, Everett 0. 

Atkinson, Carl B. 

Axe, John L. 

Baker, Edgar 

Baker, Robert G. 

Beach, Melvin A. 

Beller, Raymond H. 

Bender, Harley E. 





W9 "^ ^Mf , Ij 








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APPENDIX 



317 



Blaro, Adamo 
Blessinger, John T. 
Bogucki, Walter H. 
Boyce, Charles 
Bredbeck, Ralph A. 
Brewster, Thomas E. 
Broadbridge, Edwin J. 
Brooker, Harry R. 
Brooks, Jay M. 
Brown, Emmit 
Budke, Ernst 
Byerly, Rudolph W. 
Cady, Frank J. 
Campbell, Elmer 
Cannon, Omar 
Careins, David V. 
Carlin, Clarence H. 
Chalfant, Garrett H. 
Clark, Edwin 
Click, William R. 
Coan, Paul L. 
Cook, Charles B. 
Cooper, Frank H. 
Cornforth, Charles H. 
Cox, Wilbur P. 
Craft, John W. 
Cranfield, Clarence H. 
Creamer, Warnia B. 
Creighton, Regis D. 
Crisp, Sidney 
David, Andy 
Davis, Edward M. 
Demko, George E. 
Dew, Harold E. 
Doty, Wilbur M. 
Doud, Farnum C. 



Drotter, Mike S. 
Elias, Joe 
Elliott, Victor E. 
Evans, Louis 
Fawcett, Edward B. 
Feige, Erwin F. 
Finley, Arthur R. 
Fisk, Hubert R. 
Flagg, Harry 
Fletcher, John F. 
Forbusch, Frank F. 
Fox, Frank 
France, Luster 
Frye, Glenn R. 
Funk, Harry L. 
Gable, Claude E. 
Galio, Giovan B. 
Gallentine, George H. 
Gantz, Paul W. 
Garverick, Lee R. 
Gardiner, Charles B. 
Geissman, Reuben C. 
Glaub, Frank 
Gordon, Frank B. 
Gosda, Henry 
Gosser, Anthony 
Grosvenor, Edward L. 
Hagerman, James A. 
Hamski, Walter C. 
Handley, Luther L. 
Harmon, Fred 
Harper, Hobert H. 
Harris, Ambrose R. 
Harter, Harold S. 
Haught, Wilbert J. 
Hawthorn, Albert 



3i8 



APPENDIX 



Hawk, John 
Haynes, Ed 
Heckert, Guy 
Helton, Charles W. 
Hesler, Harry H. 
Hiatt, Edward 
Hirsch, Frank A. 
Holiday, John 
Horton, Robert 
Hughes, Joseph H. 
Hulbert, Frederick L. 
Hunt, Lester D. 
Jackson, Corrall 
Jarrett, William 
Johnson, Charles A. 
Jones, John H. 
Kindred, George 
Koons, Otto E. 
Lashley, Oscar S. 
Leienberger, Wilber 
Link, Fremont 
Long, Walter R. 
Mack, Elmer 
Malicki, Boleslaw C. 
Manahan, William G, 
Maple, James H. 
Marietta, Lester B. 
Martin, Stanley 
Mascia, Giovanni 
Mason, Frank E. 
Mavis, Clarence E. 
McCann, Milton B. 
McClory, Mike E. 
McCormick, John 
McGaffney, William J. 
Mellinger, Carl L. 



Mickelson, John P. 
Miller, Edward H. 
Miller, Jesse H. 
Mitzewitz, Roman 
Monroe, Howard W. 
Moore, Hobart 
Moran, Earl T. 
Morgan, Ira 
Mottinger, Jesse C. 
Munziato, Spidare 
Needles, Max 
Nowakowski, Joseph 
Oakes, Oscar E. 
Page, Vernon O. 
Pedersen, Peder K. 
Petri, Raneto 
Phelps, Carl H. 
Piper, Arthur F. 
Reed, Joe E. 
Reisling, William N. 
Rentschler, Charles H. 
Richards, Cecil D. 
Rickard, Homer G. 
Ridenour, Ray W. 
Rigney, Owen 
Riley, Dolphy C. 
Robinson, Russel H. 
Romeo, Frank 
Rose, Lawrence C. 
Rosenbrook, George 
Rostanowski, John 
Roush, Oscar 
Ryan, Otto 
Rybeck, Charles 
Schultz, Ollie J. 
Shafer, Jesse 



APPENDIX 



319 



Shawchanko, Stive 
Shireman, Ira E. 
Shoemaker, John Mike 
Shreck, Charles W. 
Sleesman, John C. 
Smith, Joseph H. 
Snyder, James A. 
Spindler, Jacob M. 
Sproch, John 
Stack, Asik 
Stanley, Rush W. 
Stefan, John 
Stephens, Lee K. 
Stewart, James A. 
Strope, John F. 
Swigert, John H. 
Szkutnik, John 
Theis, Matthew W. 
Theret, Gusta 
Townsend, Walter E. 
Trott, Cyrus A. 



Valodin, Ernest M. 
Vitelli, Angelo 
Wagner, John L. 
Walpole, Thomas D. 
Wantland, Edgar L. 
Ward, William L. 
Waters, Vere R. 
Wernz, Lawrence D. 
Wiesse, Frederick W. 
Wikoff, William L 
Williams, John H. 
Willis, Edward H. 
Winkler, George A. 
Winkler, Herbert W. 
Wray, Charles 
Wright, George E. 
Wyatt, Willard O. 
Woolf, Earl W. 
York, Ernest H. 
Zaleski, John 



COMPANY L 



First Sergeant 

Knochel, John N. 
Sergeants First Class 
. Brunner, Foster A. 

Clancy, James R. 

Englehart, Royal C. 

Ogren, Brother S. 

Wanner, Louis C. 
Mess Sergeant 

Cope, Elmer A. 
Supply Sergeant 

Fox, Joseph R. 



Sergeants 

Blocksom, Harry 

Daugherty, Charles E. 

Olson, Oscar 

Rankin, Mansel L. 

Scholz, Arthur B. 

Schwarz, Edward R. 

Stout, Harry M. 

Totterdale, Robert 

Wharton, Walter 1. 
Corporals 

Barnes, Harold E. 



320 



APPENDIX 



Bashara, George R. 

Brickies, Marvin 

Burgess, Mark 

Bushmann, Edward H. 

Davidson, Harry 

Davis, Forest D. 

Denny, Miles L. 

Denton, Claud 

Fitzgerald, Alphonse 

Henz, Clarence W. 

Hoppe, Walter 

Jennings, Ardra H. 

Juvenal, Harry 

Kranz, Arthur E. 

Metcalf, Perley D. 

Mueller, John N. 

Newberry, Percy M. 

Overlin, Ellis A. 

Pohlkamp, Joseph H. 

Proctor, Milton D. 

Quigley, Omer J. 

Rockett, Edward T. 

Sines, William H. 

Travis, Howard 

Turkenkopf, Bernard 

Westerviller, William 

Woodruff, Orval J. 

Wray, Floyd R. 
Cooks 

Boice, Reed V. 

McFarland, William J. 

Noyes, Clyde 

Rammacciato, Mike 

Tuller, Earnest C. 
Privates First Class . 

Banks, John L. 



Colthar, Clarence L. 
Deuvall, Fred G. 
Dobson, Roy 
Flynn, James R. 
Fraza, Emil F. 
Freeman, Harvey J. 
Githens, Ernest C. 
Harmon, Boyd A. 
Hoagland, Walter R. 
Kirby, Cecil E. 
Lanam, William N. 
McKinney, William H. 
Shontlemire, William N. 
Smith, Squire O. 
Stanforth, Virgil P. 
Taylor, Joseph T. 
Wester, Richard 
Wortendyke, Glenn 
Yell, Leo F. 
Zmudzinski, Raymond 
Privates 
Abrams, Chalmers H. 
Adams, John T. 
Adams, Michael G. 
Anderson, Theodore 
Archer, Charley B. 
Archer, William F. 
Baldwin, Robert E. 
Balmer, Eli 
Bell, Lester 
Belmont, James H. 
Beery, Beecher 
Blazer, Horace H. 
Bledsoe, Albert 
Blosser, Earl 
Blubaugh, William H. 





COMP 



APPENDIX 



321 



Bond, Clarence M. 
Boone, Elmer 
Bowes, Earl P. 
Brannon, James K. 
Brookes, George E. 
Brown, William G. 
Brunk, Estel E. 
Burgin, Carl P. 
Burke, Charles H. 
Burkett, Tom N. 
Burnett, Merle 
Butts, Raymond A. 
Byers, Forest R. 
Carlin, Oscar L. 
Carroll, Harry G. 
Cassill, Dominick 
Clemens, Richard, Jr. 
Collum, George 
Corcoran, John J. 
Cosentino, Anthony 
Crosby, Howard 
Cubbison, Brodie M. 
CulHgan, Edward H. 
Culp, Ralph E. 
Daniel, Edward J. 
Daulton, Clifford 
Davis, Dan S. 
Davis, Eugene R. 
Denslow, Miles W. 
Dinnardo, Pasquale 
Domer, Melvin C. 
Draham, Richard G. 
Driesbach, Ansel G. 
Driggs, Eddie 
Ducatt, Jay B. 
Dye, Marshall 



Eichenlaub, Howard F. 
Emrick, Orion L. 
Ervin, Alex M. 
Ezersky, Mich T. 
Ferguson, George 
Figg, Henry H. 
Foley, John M. 
Foltz, Carl V. 
Fowler, Delbert 
Freed, Sol 
Gabriel, Lloyd E. 
Gannon, Eddie N. 
Garver, Clarence J. 
Gayhart, Lewis 
Geiger, George E. 
Ginther, Eddie 
Gittins, William, Jr. 
Gnagi, Lawrence C. 
Gotos, Luis F. 
Grandstaff, George 
Gubernath, Albert M. 
Handwerker, Harry 
Harris, Morris 
Harry, Clyde E. 
Hartsook, Hershell H. 
Headley, Perry G. 
Hendricks, Harley 
Hensley, Henry A. 
Hereford, James L. 
Hobler, Clyde W. 
Holtel, William A. 
Hott, George L. 
Howard, Emory L. 
Hultz, Raymond F. 
Ives, Samuel 
Jaske, John J. 



322 



APPENDIX 



Jenkins, Howard N. 
Jesberger, Joseph V. 
Kahl, Charles 
Karaglanian, Hagop 
Kern, Clarence S. 
Kinsey, Clarence A. 
Klinzing, William 
Koepke, Reinhold W. 
Kreutzer, Raymond J. 
Kunkle, Roy E. 
Kurr, Oliver O. 
Lemal, Lawrence W. 
Lemmer, Charles T. 
Litteral, James 
Longerbone, Truman L. 
Lumpkins, Sellards 
Malindzak, Jesse L. 
Malone, Joseph R. 
Mark, Saul H. 
Mauch, Louis M. 
Mayzik, Rudolph R. 
McDougle, Jesse C. 
McHaffie, Ray 
Mcllvain, Orville L. 
Metzger, Leo L. 
Mitchell, Edward M. 
Moffett, Lauren R. 
Morgenstern, Herbert 
Morrison, Charles 
Murphy, Jacob L. 
Myers, Benjamin 
Neftzer, Archie L. 
Nicolas, James M. 
Nieman, Frank R. 
O'Brien, Francis J. 
Oestricher, Herman J. 



O'Neil, James 
Redd, George W. 
Reddington, Michael 
Reed, Harry L. 
Ritchie, Edgar 
Rogers, John 
Royal, John O. 
Ryan, Thomas F. 
Scanlon, Michael P. 
Schaefer, David E. 
Scherer, Lawrence L. 
Schwepe, Oscar W. 
Scott, Hencil C. 
Semple, Lester H. 
Sense, William J. 
Shaner, Samuel D. 
Shanks, James W. 
Shepherd, Donald D. 
Siadak, Ernest 
Skipton, Guy M. 
Slagle, Denver 
Smith, Alia M. 
Snyder, Alva B. 
Spangler, Minor G. 
Stempinski, William 
Stirn, Frank 
Stone, Homer K. 
Storer, Clarence R. 
Stouffer, Joseph E. 
Theis, William 
Thompson, George 
Tillett, Charles T. 
Todd, Albert C. 
Turvey, Kenneth 
Vincent, Lawrence L. 
Vondersmith, Adrian 



APPENDIX 



323 



Wade, William J. 
Wagner, Otto D. 
Walker, Russel A. 
Walsh, Irving 
Walt, Howard 
Waltz, William F. 
Ward, Dale F. 
Wastier, Jacob L. 



Weidinger, Fred B. 
Weyers, Frank J. 
Whitfield, George 
Wineland, Harry S. 
Wohleben, Arthur W. 
Yencer, James A. 
Zick, Robert A. 



COMPANY M 



Sergeants 

Bishop, Euclid C. 

Concannon, John W. 

Gantner, Charles 

Hutcherson, George I. 

Maulfair, Ralph 

McCormick, Francis L. 

Purcell, Paul E. 

Sillies, Joseph, Jr. 

Stockstill, Oscar T. 

Turner, James H. 
Corporals 

Anderson, Arthur H. 

Brock, William J. B. 

Bates, Denver H. 

Bean, Joseph D. 

Blackstone, Franklin R. 

Campbell, Julius M. 

Daniels, Edward W. 

Dennis, Paul D. 

Estergreen, Paul 

Himmelein, Charles 

Kitzman, Walter W. 

Lambert, Lawrence H. 

Mead, Ralph W. 

Mclnnes, Leroy 



Owen, Myler 
Pregenzer, Paul 
Piklo, Francis E. 
Ridle, Alfred A. 
Schmitz, Henry J. 
Schmitz, Joseph W. 
Skinner, William J. B, 
Snyder, Charles B. 
Snyder, Howard E. 
Srodes, John J. 
Steigerwald, Lawrence H. 
Stratton, John 
Sweeney, Thomas J. 
Tingley, Earl D. 
Whitman, John F. 
Privates 

Admire, Fred 
Akins, George S. 
Allbery, Clyde C. 
Allman, Elmer 
Aue, Henry E. 
Baker, Sidney J. 
Barrett, Clark H. 
Barrows, Charles G. 
Bell, Alva J. 
Berndt, Edward F. 



324 



APPENDIX 



Bialecki, Nicholas 
Binegar, Charles L. 
Black, Henry T. 
Blacksher, June J. 
Board, Fred A. 
Bower, James A. 
Bowler, Clyde R. 
Boyd, Glen 
Boyle, James 
Brittain, Phillip W. 
Brondo, Leo F. 
Brown, Haider L. 
Brown, Peter O. 
Bush, Josh 
Campbell, George E. 
Carpenter, Douglas R. 
Carson, Edward S. 
Cataline, James A. 
Chlim, Nicholas 
Chumard, Charles H. 
Coressel, Leonard H. 
Corwin, Harry 
Coulson, Clarence L. 
Cox, Pearl 
Crowley, Ernest R. 
Davis, Clarence E. 
Davis, George 
Deeds, Harry G. 
Deiser, Joseph J. 
Dicks, Stephen E. 
Donselman, Harry W. 
Dorman, Gail G. 
Douglas, Clarence E. 
Dudley, Larwence 
Dunn, Richard H. 
Dutton, Frank 



Eddington, Nathaniel B. 
Estell, Floyd E. 
Fahrney, Christ J. 
Fisher, Clyde T. 
Fosha, Walter 
Friend, Earl E. 
Garrison, Cloyd 
Gaudette, Lee 
Gestrich, Robert W. 
Giampaolo, Lewie 
Gibson, Cosby O. 
Gieke, Fred W. 
Graham, Fred S. 
Gray, Eustice G. 
Grosskurth, Charles, Jr. 
Halley, Harry H. 
Hardacre, Charles D. 
Hardoerfer, John J. 
Harris, Willis 
Hartley, Roy 
Hartshorn, Chauncy C. 
Hayes, Lawrence 
Henley, James C. 
Herdimon, Apostolus 
Hill, Ora L. 
Hower, Ray S. 
Hugi, John R. 
Hulec, August 
Hunter, John W. 
Jackson, Bruce K. 
Jackson, Harry 
Jenkins, Thomas D. 
Jewell, R. K. 
Johnson, Lewis W. 
Kelley, Arthur A. 
Kennedy, Bernard W. 




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APPENDIX 



325 



Kennedy, Walter W. 
Kider, Leon 
Kimble, Harry D. 
Kinkead, Gray 
Klause, Frank 
Kneubuehl, Charles 
Knight, Harry 
Koenig, George J. 
Korb, Harry C. 
Kuczynski, Boleslau 
Kuhn, Leo J. 
Kuonzli, Homer C. 
Laake, Louis F. 
Lachtrupp, Elve M. 
Lanning, Clarence * 
Leist, Emmit A. 
Leposky, Joseph 
Lette, Roy 
Lewis, Claude 
Locker, Lyman 
Louis, Sam 
Luckjohn, Edward A. 
Ludwig, William L 
Lundy, John W. 
Lykowski, Edward 
Maurer, Floyd R. 
McConnell, Okey 
Mcintosh, Asa 
McKee, Vincent F. 
McLaughlin, Dwight E. 
McNulty, John H. 
Mercker, Henry F. 
Miller, Albert C. 
Mezivitz, David 
Mitchell, Frank C. 
' Mitchell, Simon C. 



Mooradlan, Peter 
Moore, Ludlow C. 
Morgan, Frank C. 
Morrison, Joe L. 
Moulin, Raymond E. 
Neeley, Clifford 
Newton, Wilgus F. 
Nichols, Jay 
Norrington, James H. 
Nulty, James 
Oason, Oscar H. 
O'Brien, Walter A. 
Olcott, Conant B. 
Olson, Albert 
Orr, John 
Parcell, Hamer L. 
Parks, Ralph R. 
Parry, Thomas C. 
Paskell, Arthur W. 
Paulus, Leo M. 
Peery, James W. 
Perkins, James A. 
Perl, Harry W. 
Perry, Clark 
Piper, Hugo E. 
Piper, Walter E. 
Potts, Richard C. 
Prelipp, Albert C. H. 
Prose, Omer L. 
Prosser, Charles 
Puckett, Ora N. 
Raberding, Arthur H. 
Reich, Meyer 
Reindl, Edward C. 
Reinier, William A. 
Reithmiller, Ross A. 



326 



APPENDIX 



Roadwiler, Edward 
Rose, Burl W. 
Royse, Sim 
Rozanski, Joseph J. 
Ruppel, Clemence G. 
Rutter, Asa E. 
Sarhal, Elik 
Savich, Michael 
Schlegel, Jacob J. 
Schmidt, Frank E. 
Schooley, Verney F. 
Schubert, Ivan 
Schurick, William 
Schwartz, Edward A. 
Seymore, Cliflford O. 
Shaffer, Warren T. 
Sharpe, John W. 
Shelton, James C. 
Shock, Orbin D. 
Shondel, John R. 
Sidle, Surrell F. 
Simons, Charles F. 
Simpson, Charles 
Slagle, Claud W. 
Snekeker, John ■ 
Snyder, Lewis R. 
Snyder, Roy 
Sobul, Benjamin 
Speakman, James 
Spiegel, Harold C. 



Steinhauser, Frank A. 
Stephani, Warner J. 
Stephani, William J. H. 
Stephenson, William, Jr. 
Stillion, Clarence 
Stout, Gerald M. 
Strempel, Fred G. 
Summers, Walter D. 
Sunagel, Edward J. 
Suriano, Luigi 
Thompson, William W. 
Till, Eugene H. 
Triplett, Charles C. 
Truax, John G. 
Turner, Francis G. 
Tussey, Samuel H. 
Uleman, Herman S. 
Valant, Vincent 
Visata, Joseph E. 
Walsh, Patrick J. 
Walter, Everett L. 
Walter, Judson 
Walton, Webster B. 
Wheatherall, James L. 
Willard, Raymond C. 
Wolfe, Harry J. 
Yarger, Ernest C. 
Young, Arthur W. 
Young, Elmer E. 
Zeese, Elmer A. 



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